As the Perseid shower reaches its peak, ideal conditions could reveal up to a hundred meteors per hour. Additionally, experts from the Polish Storm Observers Network suggest that after dusk, the atmospheric conditions might be favorable for seeing the Northern Lights as well.
As Dr. Piotr Witek from the Copernicus Science Centre explains in an interview with Polish Radio 24, the meteors from the Perseid shower are often called "falling stars," but they are actually unrelated to stars. Instead, they originate from the comet Swift-Tuttle, which approaches Earth every 133 years.
Perseids 2024: Where, when, and how to observe the "falling stars"
The best way to view the Perseids is with the naked eye, away from urban light pollution. Ideal conditions include a location with a clear horizon toward the southeast, where the constellation Perseus is located, from which the meteors radiate.
During the peak of the shower, you can see up to several dozen meteors per hour. This year, conditions are favorable as the Moon will set before 10 PM, minimizing interference.
The best time to watch the Perseids is during the latter part of the night and in the early morning.
The Perseids can be seen in the night sky until August 24, but tonight marks the peak of the phenomenon. Locations where meteors are most easily observed can be found on the lightpollutionmap.info, which shows the level of artificial light pollution (the dimmer the area, the better the viewing conditions).
Meteor shower 2024. Events related to the Perseid Night in Poland
In Poland, numerous events are being held to observe the Perseids. The Silesian Planetarium in Chorzów in southern Poland and the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw will begin their nighttime observations at 9:00 PM, featuring commentary from astronomers and live music.
In Piekary Śląskie in southern Poland, under the Liberation Mound, the Perseid Night will start at 8:00 PM with contributions from astrophotographer Bartosz Wojczyński and the head of the Astronomical Observatory, Krzysztof Dwornik.
The Museum of the Earth in Warsaw will enhance the meteor shower night with a performance by pianist Marcin Masecki, while in Wrocław in southwerstern Poland, DJ Axel will create a special atmosphere by the Oder River.
The Astronomical Observatory on Lubomir Mountain near Kraków in southern Poland invites visitors for observations at 10:00 PM, and in Łódź in central Poland, the botanical garden will offer views of the Perseids through a telescope.
Read more about this subject:
The Perseid meteor shower is coming: When to watch the falling stars?
Source: IAR/PAP/Polskie Radio 24
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