Perseids are approaching their peak

By Alex Fontaine. Furthermore, Le Devoir, initiative of local journalism, the duty

It is during the week of August 11 that the heavenly spectacle of the Perseids will be at its climax. Therefore, As every year, the frenzy seizes the Mégantic region, a high place in the observation of the starry sky.

“This is the culmination of the year. Similarly, ” said Sébastien Giguère, responsible for education at the Mont-Mégantic National Park. Similarly, “In summer. For example, during a normal year, we have 200 people per evening who come to see the stars at Mont Mégantic. For example, »»

But in the middle of the Perseids, “we can go even more because people watch later”. Meanwhile, Up to 400 people can generally go up to the top of the mountain. In addition, up to 500 perseids approaching their peak people appear without reservation per evening at his foot, specifies Mr. Therefore, Giguère.

Due to a site at the top. Similarly, the public will however have to remain at the base of the mountain this year. For example, Whoever is also a scientific coordinator of Astrolab. a museum and center of activity in astronomy located at the national park, is however reassuring: “The sky is also beautiful [en bas] And we have an observatory for the public below too. »»

QUE SONT LES PROBLOY?

When fine particles of dust that are in space come at full speed in the earth’s atmosphere. they reach so high temperatures that air emits light in their passage. These are these light streaks called meteors, but we often prefer to use the more romantic term of “shooting stars”.

Meteors can appear alone or in a group – in the latter case, we will talk about rain. Perseids are the perseids approaching their peak name given to the rain of shooting stars that occurs from mid-July to 3^e week of August. The most conducive period for the observation of this phenomenon is from August 10 to 15. the peak of activity will take place on the night of 12 to 13.

“Under a reasonably black. very transparent and without light pollution, we can hope for rates approaching 50 meteors at the start of the evening of August 12,” writes Espace pour la vie.

There are several meteor rains that come back every year. but the Perseids are one of those that have the largest number of shooting stars an hour. It is also the only one of this caliber that occurs in summer, which makes observation outside more comfortable.

The show is all the more accessible since it is observed with the naked eye. “You do not need astronomical equipment to observe a rain of shooting stars. perseids approaching their peak ” says the Société des Estaires de Outdoir du Québec. It is in fact a detriment. because the telescopes have a reduced field of vision which may make you miss the meteors elsewhere in the sky. »»

Megantic, capital of astronomy

One of the essential keys to observe this show is obviously the weather. A cloudless sky will promote observation. Ditto for a moon that is more discreet – no luck. this year, the full moon will come up on August 9, just a few days before the peak of the Perseids.

We will also try to flee artificial light pollution by moving away from urban centers. In this regard. Estrie is distinguished: we find there the International Star Sky Reserve of Mont-Mégantic, a territory of 5,167 km² which is the subject of protective measures to counter light pollution. No wonder a scientific observatory found at the top of Mount Mégantic.

That said. it perseids approaching their peak is possible to observe the Perseids in several regions of Quebec and the show is not limited to the night of August 12 to 13. “I like to say that the best night is the one where we are available. where the weather is nice!” “Concludes Sébastien Giguère.

This report benefits from the support of theLocal journalism initiativefunded by the Government of Canada.