The meteor shower, or Perseid meteor shower, occurs every year in August. As scientists said, in August 2017 it will be possible to observe the starfall from August 10 to 20. The peak of activity occurs on August 12-14.

Astronomers say that this year's starfalls will be unusually beautiful. According to experts, one meteor will fall every “minute”.

As scientists said, average speed The movement of the Perseid meteorites is 214,365 km/h. Most of them are the size of a grain of sand. So far, the researchers note, not a single Perseid meteorite has fallen to Earth.

As the Perseids enter Earth's atmosphere, they heat up and burn up. Most fragments are visible when they are about 97 kilometers from the surface of our planet. Comet Swift-Tuttle gives the meteor shower a special brightness. The Earth passes through its tail every year. The comet's tail loses particles of cosmic rocks, pieces of ice, etc., which, falling into the Earth's atmosphere, burn and leave beautiful lines of fire and flashes.

Meteor showers occur annually in August. To observe them, you do not need any special equipment. It is important that the sky is clear, and then the meteor shower can be seen even from the balcony. But, of course, it is best to watch the meteor shower away from illuminated populated areas.

Another meteor shower - the Capricornids - will last throughout August and end on September 15. And although meteorites from the Capricornids stream do not enter the atmospheric stream as often as Perseid meteorites, these meteorites burn just as brightly. You can watch the Capricornids starfall all over Russia.

The Perseids begin to fall on August 9, and reach their apogee by August 12-13, gradually, as they move away from the Earth, they fade away by the 20th. The magical spectacle is the result of falling meteorite rocks, cosmic dust and pieces of ice from passing meteors. The Perseids as a meteor shower originate from the constellation Perseus.

The shower is given a special brightness by the “cherry on the cake” - comet Swift-Tuttle, whose tail, in fact, loses cosmic rocks, giving us this stellar fireworks. It was on the basis of the Perseid shower and comet Swift-Tuttle in particular that the discovery was made that the meteor shower “falls” from the tail of the comet.

Needless to say, you won’t see such beauty during the day? Turn off the lights in the house, go out onto the balcony, street, garden, park or nature, look at the sky and enjoy the peace. Remember that the Perseids will not return for another year.

Where will you be able to see and how to watch the Perseids starfall?

The Perseids starfall is best viewed, of course, while looking up to the constellation Perseus. In this part of the sky you can observe the maximum number of falling meteors. First, find the constellation Ursa Major (Bucket) in the sky and North Star. The ladle is a constellation in the shape of the kitchen tool of the same name, in the shape of the letter “J” of seven stars.

If everything is more or less clear with the Bucket, then we look for the North Star, drawing a line to the right from the edge of the bucket: you should reach the edge of the Small Bucket. Polaris is the outermost star of the “handle” of the bucket of the constellation Ursa Minor. From the North Star, draw a line further - you will come across the constellation Cassiopeia (a cluster of stars in the shape of the letter W). Below is the constellation Perseus.

The Perseids have been known to mankind for about two thousand years. The discoverer of the Perseid stream is considered to be Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet. The absolute record for falling meteors in the entire history of observing the Perseids was recorded in 1839 - 160 falling meteors per minute! Therefore, prepare a wish list. The nights from August 9 to 13 are definitely worth taking a break from the hardships of life and turning your gaze to the sky.

Draconids- a periodic meteor shower generated by the tail of comet 21P/Giacobini - Zinner. Meteors that fly away at great speed (about 20 km/s) acquire a bright yellow and sometimes red hue.

Due to their bright color, meteors are clearly visible against a dark sky, but the activity of the shower varies. The most powerful emissions of the so-called “stardust” - up to several thousand meteors per hour - were observed in 1933 and 1946, usually we're talking about only about 20-100 meteors.

Observation can begin on the night of October 8-9, however best time The interval between 4 and 5 am is considered. The flow rate will be about 10-15 meteors per hour. This is not much when compared with other, more powerful streams, but it will be enough for a patient observer. It is worth noting that in large cities, due to bright lighting, the starfall will be poorly visible.

To admire the stars and take good pictures, you should go to the suburbs. But even there, in relative darkness, you need to give your eyes the opportunity to adapt: ​​for this you need to avoid looking at the light for at least 20 minutes.

If you still need light to move through unfamiliar terrain, you should stock up on red “lanterns”. You can make them yourself by placing red wrapping paper on the flashlight.

Other meteor showers of 2017

The Leonids will be active almost all of November, peaking on the 14th, and the year will end with the Geminids, which will rain down hundreds of meteors per hour on December 13th and 14th. Any such event can be considered a miracle, because the Universe is huge, and fragments of comets or asteroids fly near us, with the smallest point in space.

Learn to be patient and wait if you want to see a shooting star. The Draconids have a special charm because they are almost as bright as the Geminids. This is a significant event for astronomy lovers and ordinary observers, as well as scientists.

On October 21 and 22, 2017, a colorful celestial show is expected - the Orionids Starfall. The Orionid meteor shower will reach its maximum. It was born from Comet Halley (1P/Halley), which flies past the Earth from time to time. Motes of dust and ice flecks from the comet's tail rain down on us and flash in bright streams.

From Earth, the meteors appear to be coming from the constellation Orion. It gave the stream its name. Astronomers claim that this last years The Orionids have become “thicker.” And if you are lucky and the sky is cloudless, you will be able to see from 30 to 50 “star streams” per hour.

The meteors of the stream approaching us are very fast - they crash into the earth's atmosphere at a speed of about 66 kilometers per second and often leave white trails.

Orionid meteor shower in October. Halley's Comet

As the Moscow Planetarium advises: it is best to observe the Orionids from midnight to morning, in the southeastern part of the sky. The moon will be below the horizon at this time and will not interfere with observations.

Astronomers are complemented by experienced observers: you need to take a cot out into the street and lie down on it so that your left outstretched arm points to the east, and your right to the southeast. And look straight up. Or just lie with your feet facing south. It will also be visible. Unless, of course, cloudiness interferes.

By the way, the Earth flies into the tail of Comet Halley twice a year - in October and May. In October he sprinkles us with Orionids, in May with Aquarids.

Orionids meteor shower in October 2017: where and when you can watch the meteor shower

It is known that in some years the Orionids can pierce the sky with a frequency of up to 80 per hour. Unlike most meteor showers, the peak of Orionid activity is quite long and can last several days. The usual limits for the occurrence of the flow are from October 16 to October 27.

To observe the flow, it is advisable to move away from large cities and powerful sources of sky illumination. Those who are prevented by the weather from watching the night performance can take advantage of the online broadcast of observations carried out by the Slooh robotic telescope. The broadcast will begin at 2.59 Moscow time on October 21.

Starfall in October 2017. Make a wish

Those who did not have time to make all their wishes during the shooting stars in August will be able to do so in October. The main thing is to have time to make a wish! To get the best result, you can write your wish on paper and carry it with you until you see a shooting star. At the same time of shooting stars, you can tell fortunes about desire or tell fortunes about love.

Since ancient times, people have believed that shooting stars are a conversation with Heaven, an answer to their deepest aspirations and hopes.

The beauty of shooting stars will not only give you joy and a feeling of unity with the Universe, but will also give you the opportunity to receive new, unusual energies that will help you fulfill your desires. You need to choose one desire, the most important one, and with it you turn to the Universe.

Starfall, starfall...
Fortunately, friends say...
N. N. Dobronravov

August is the time for starfalls. This month, the stars shine brighter than usual in the night sky, and meteors that have not been visible all year become visible. In the coming weeks, residents of all Russian cities will see several amazing astronomical phenomena at once - two bright starfalls and moon eclipse.

Capricornids

When: early August

Throughout the last month of summer and another half of September, you will be able to see a unique meteor shower – the Capricornids – in the night sky. It will be visible near the constellation Capricorn until September 15, but its peak activity occurs in early August, so observations are best made in the first week of the month.


Capricornids can be found near the constellation Capricorn

Although the Capricornids were discovered by the Hungarian astronomer de Concolli back in 1871, this meteor shower is little studied. Researchers believe that at the peak of starfall activity, only 5-6 meteors can be seen per hour, but all of them are very bright and noticeable.

We owe many modern conveniences to space. The meteor shower claims to be one of the most unusual: astronomers have proven that it consists of three equal meteor showers stretched in different directions: that is why the Capricornids can be observed from anywhere on Earth.
In order to see the starfall, you do not need special equipment: it is so bright that it is visible from dark to dawn with the naked eye. Finding the source of a meteor shower in the sky, the constellation Capricorn, is quite difficult, since there is not a single bright star in it. First you need to discover the constellation Aquila: in August it is one of the brightest in the sky, and its main star, Altair, forms a Summer-Autumn triangle with Vega and Deneb. Below the Eagle is Capricorn - it looks like a big smile. This is where you can see the Capricornids. You can watch the meteor shower without leaving your home: although Capricorn himself is completely inconspicuous, the meteor shower will be bright and spectacular.

Moon eclipse

At 21.20 on August 7, Moscow time, residents of almost all cities of Russia, except for the Far Eastern Territory, will be able to observe a beautiful and rare phenomenon - a partial lunar eclipse. It received this name because the Moon enters the Earth's shadow not completely, but only partially. In this case, the part of the Moon on which the Earth's shadow falls will look dark, and the rest will be in partial shade and illuminated by the sun's rays.

Residents of almost all Russian cities will see a partial lunar eclipse.

“This will be an unusually beautiful phenomenon,” notes astronomer Anatoly Ryabtsev. – Interesting fact: at the same time, being on the Moon, you can see a partial eclipse of the Sun by the Earth.”

The lunar eclipse will last about 1 hour 55 minutes, and everyone will have time to admire the spectacle from the windows of their homes and even take photographs. Experts advise that the best way to view this astronomical phenomenon is through a telescope, but even if you don't have special equipment, this event will forever remain in your memory.

Perseids

The Perseids are one of the brightest and most intense starfalls: at the peak of its activity, up to 60 flaming meteors can be seen in the sky in one hour - 1 meteor every minute!


The Perseids are one of the brightest meteor showers.

The starfall will last 10 days, from August 10 to 20, but greatest number meteors will be visible from August 12 to 14. You can see them with the naked eye: often falling stars merge into entire fireballs and lines, which makes the meteor shower surprisingly beautiful and unusual. The Perseids deservedly take first place among all meteor showers in terms of the number of shooting stars and fireballs - giant meteors that shine brighter than Venus.

The Perseids owe their beauty to the comet Swift-Tuttle, through whose tail the Earth passes every year. The smallest particles of the comet's tail, consisting of ice, dust and various cosmic rocks, burn up in the atmosphere and fall to Earth as a shower of stars. The comet itself approaches the Earth only once every 135 years, and its next appearance is expected only in 2127, but even the burning trail of a celestial body looks very impressive: the starfall will be appreciated by all astronomy lovers.
You can see a fascinating phenomenon in the sky near the constellation Perseus. Everyone can find it. To do this, you need to draw an imaginary line from the extreme star of the “bucket handle” of the Big Dipper through the North Star. A little higher you will see Cassiopeia - a constellation in the form of a large letter "W". Directly below this constellation is Perseus, in whose area meteors will fall.

STAR SHOWERS IN 2017

7: Partial lunar eclipse.

The Moon will pass through the Earth's penumbral region, and a small part of it will pass through the total shadow region.

12–13: Meteor shower.

The famous Perseid meteor shower with a frequency of up to 60 meteors per minute.

21: Total solar eclipse.

The Moon will completely eclipse the Sun, making its corona (the outer layers of the atmosphere) visible.

September.

Occurs at 20:02 UTC, when the Sun will shine directly on the equator and throughout the world day and night will be approximately the same length. This will be the first day of autumn (autumn equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.

October.

7: Meteor shower.

The Draconid meteor shower differs from others in its low frequency (only about 10 meteors per hour) and in that it is best observed in the early evening rather than early in the morning.

19: Uranus at opposition.

Although this planet will be as close as possible to Earth, it will only be visible as a tiny bluish-green dot - we are too far away from each other. Unless you have access to a powerful astronomical telescope.

21–22: Meteor shower.

The Orionid meteor shower allows you to observe about 20 meteors per hour.

November.

4–5: Meteor Shower.

The Taurids meteor shower has a frequency of only 5-10 meteors per hour, but is unusual in that it consists of two branches.

13: Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter.

These two bright planets will be extremely close - before dawn they can be seen in the east at a distance of only 0.3 degrees from each other.

17–18: Meteor shower.

The Leonids meteor shower, at its peak, produces about 15 meteors per hour.

December.

3: Full moon, super moon.

The moon will be on back side Earth, fully illuminated by the Sun. This will be the only supermoon in 2017 where the Moon will be very close to Earth.

13–14: Meteor shower.

The Geminids meteor shower is truly the king of all meteor showers. It will be possible to observe up to 120 colorful meteors per hour!

Occurs at 16:28 UTC when the Earth's South Pole tilts toward the Sun. This will be the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the Southern Hemisphere.

21–22: Meteor shower.

The Ursid meteor shower has a frequency of 5 to 10 meteors per hour.

The maximum number of shooting stars - up to 15-20 meteors per hour - can be seen on Saturday night, when the Moon is below the horizon. The best time to view the Orionids is from midnight to morning, in clear weather.

Residents of the entire Earth will be able to observe this most beautiful astronomical phenomenon.

Although in the countries of the Northern Hemisphere, including Ukraine, where Orion is better visible, people can expect a more colorful sight.

You can usually see the Orionids from October 2 to November 7 from midnight to dawn, provided the weather is clear, best outside the city, away from city lights. The starfall culminates on October 21–22.

Particles of the Orionid meteor swarm crash into the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of about 66 km/s. They are usually white in color, but sometimes there are also red, blue-green, yellow and orange meteors with a brightness of about +2.5 m magnitude.

You can observe a starfall without special equipment - flying meteors can be seen with the naked eye.

The best way to see a meteor shower is to make sure you are away from any light source. So find a place to observe the city or in a park, away from streetlights.

Spend at least 30 minutes outside to get used to the darkness and enjoy an unforgettable light show!

It is believed that the Orionids are the most beautiful and brightest meteor shower, despite the small number of meteors per hour.

During the stargazing period, people may feel emotional stress. In this regard, astrologers recommend restraining all your negative emotions, especially anger.

People have long believed that falling stars can make a wish come true - you need to make it while the star is visible in the sky. You can also tell fortunes by asking questions that interest you. A positive answer will be a long trail after the fall of a star, a negative answer will be a rapid fading.