Latest news with #shootingstars
CTV News
a day ago
- Science
- CTV News
You can watch the ‘best meteor shower of the year' in Canada. Here's how
Canadians have the chance to see dozens of fiery, colourful shooting stars during what the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) calls 'the best meteor shower of the year.' The Perseids meteor shower puts on a spectacle every year, from late July to mid-August, in the Northern Hemisphere, including Canada, the CSA says. This year, it is active from July 14 to Sept. 1 and expected to peak on the evening of Aug. 12 or 13, according to the American Meteor Society. 'The Perseids are one of the most plentiful showers with about 50 to 100 meteors seen per hour,' according to NASA. The Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus from where they appear to fall, the CSA says. Perseus was a Greek mythological hero. What causes Perseids? Comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle causes the Perseids. The meteor shower forms when the Earth crosses the comet's orbital path, passing the debris of dust and gravel it leaves behind from orbiting the sun, according to the CSA. As the debris disintegrates in the atmosphere, it transforms into meteors. Viewing tips For best viewing, look up at the sky between moonset and dawn, or the darkest hours after midnight when most meteors will appear, the CSA advises. You have more chances of seeing the shooting stars in areas away from city lights, such as the countryside, the CSA said. Dressing warmly is recommended because nights can be chilly, and wait patiently as it may take a while for the shooting star to show up, the CSA says.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
When To See ‘Shooting Stars' Tonight As Two Meteor Showers Peak
2018 Perseids meteor shower with the Milky way, taken in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the Alps. ... More Shooting stars are stacked according to their positions in the sky to show the (oppisite) radiant. Two meteor showers peak on the night of July 29 and into the early hours of July 30., making it the best night to watch for shooting stars this summer. The Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids will reach their peak together, with the moon setting early to leave dark skies that could host up to 30 meteors per hour. To add to the spectacle, the annual Perseids meteor shower, which peaks in August, may also offer an extra sprinkle of shooting stars. Here's how to see shooting stars tonight. Where And When To Look You can watch after dark on July 29, once the waxing crescent moon has set, but the best time will likely be between midnight and the early morning hours of July 30. Meteors can streak across any part of the sky, so don't fixate on a single spot. However, knowing where they come from is instructive. The Delta Aquariids radiate from near the constellation Aquarius, while the Alpha Capricornids appear to come from the area around Capricornus — both of which are low in the south, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. In contrast, the Perseids come from the constellation Perseus, which is rising in the northeastern night sky come nightfall. What You'll See Expect to see up to 25 meteors per hour from the Delta Aquariids, known for their faint but steady activity that can continue for a few nights beyond the peak night. The Alpha Capricornids add another 5–10 meteors per hour and are more likely to produce slower, brighter fireballs. The Perseids are more prolific on their peak night, but at this stage, they produce between about five and 10 shooting stars per hour. Observing Tips The best way to watch a meteor shower is to get out of the city to the darkest location you can, according to NASA, such as a Dark Sky Place. Allow at least 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adjust, and do not look at your smartphone. Only night vision will allow you to see shooting stars that you would otherwise not notice, which is particularly important for the Delta Aquariids because they tend to be faint. A wide, unobstructed view of the sky is wise, as is having a lawn chair or a blanket to lay down on. Do not try to use a telescope or binoculars, which will hugely restrict your view. What's Next In The Night Sky The full sturgeon moon will turn full on Aug. 9, and just a few days later, early on Aug. 12, there will be a very close conjunction between Venus and Jupiter. That's the same day the Perseid meteor shower hits its annual peak, but it will be ruined by the lingering sturgeon moon — so make the best of tonight's moonless night sky, which will make all the difference. For exact timings, use a sunrise and sunset calculator for where you are, Stellarium Web for a sky chart and Night Sky Tonight: Visible Planets at Your Location for positions and rise/set times for planets. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Tonight is the best night for stargazing all summer
If you're a fan of stargazing, make sure you have your eyes fixed on the skies this evening. Tonight (July 28) is the best night for stargazing all summer – and you don't want to miss it! Eagle–eyed viewers will be able to catch not just one, but two meteor showers tonight – the Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids. If you're lucky, you'll be able to see up to 25 shooting stars flying overhead every hour. Crescent moon Our moon follows a cycle which repeats about once a month (29.5 days), and includes eight phases – new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent. Tonight, the moon will be in the Waxing Crescent phase, meaning just a small sliver is visible in the night sky. 'This silver sliver of a Moon occurs when the illuminated half of the Moon faces mostly away from Earth, with only a tiny portion visible to us from our planet,' NASA explained. 'It grows daily as the Moon's orbit carries the Moon's dayside farther into view. 'Every day, the Moon rises a little bit later.' Alongside the crescent moon, you might notice a bright red 'star' in the night sky. This isn't actually a star at all – it's Mars. While the Red Planet is well past its brightest point this year, it remains a distinct, red dot in the night sky. For the best chance of seeing the planet, look at the moon around 45 minutes after sunset. According to Live Science, the gap between the moon and Mars will be about one degree, which is roughly the width of your pinky finger held at arm's length. Two meteor showers Arguably the most exciting event this evening is the Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower, which will sync up with the Alpha Capricornid Meteor Shower. The Delta Aquariids are active from 12 July to 23 August, but will peak between 29–30 July, meaning tonight is a perfect time to catch it. 'A moderate meteor shower peaking in late July, the Delta Aquariids kick off the summer meteor season in the Northern Hemisphere,' Royal Museums Greenwich explains. 'Although best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere, those living at mid–latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere will still be able to catch a glimpse of the meteor shower.' Tonight, experts predict that the Delta Aquariids will serve up to 20 shooting stars every hour. However, the Alpha Capricornids will provide an additional five shooting stars every hour – meaning you can expect up to 25 meteors in total. For your best chance of seeing the shooting stars, find an area well away from city lights if you can. 'Come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair – lie flat on your back with your feet facing east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible,' NASA says. Because meteors can be quite faint, keen astronomers need to get away from metropolitan areas. 'As with almost every shower, try and find a wide open space, as far from city lights as possible and fill your view with as much of the night sky as possible,' said Dr Greg Brown, public astronomy officer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Do not worry if they are not instantly visible; NASA says it takes about 30 minutes in the dark for your eyes to adapt and you will begin to see the meteors. Be patient – the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Everything you need to know about the Perseid meteor shower
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The will start in the evening on July 17, bringing thousands of shooting stars to skies across the Northern Hemisphere. Here's everything you need to know about it. WHAT ARE THEY? happen when a group of meteoroids enter Earth's atmosphere from one specific point in the sky. Once a meteoroid enters the atmosphere, it becomes a meteor. As the atmosphere eats away at them, meteors leave a trail of debris. Because of the high speeds, they appear like a bright streak of light. The Perseids, considered the most prolific meteor shower of the year, earned the name because they appear to come from the constellation Perseus. The showers happen every night until Aug. 23 and typically peak on Aug. 12. WHERE DO METEORS COME FROM? Meteors are bits of broken asteroids and leftover particles from comets. The meteors in the Perseid meteor shower come from one specific comet: . According to NASA, Swift-Tuttle takes approximately 133 years to orbit the Sun. The comet was first discovered in 1862 by astronomers Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle. Three years later, Giovanni Schiaparelli discovered that the Perseid meteors came from the comet. Swift-Tuttle last passed near Earth in 1992. It is forecasted to pass by Earth again in 2126. HOW MANY METEORS ARE THERE? Typically, the Perseids average about 25 meteors per hour, but sometimes they reach anywhere between flash in an hour. The highest rates are between 150 and 200 meteors, but that's only in 'outburst' years and when they also have low moonlight. HOW FAST ARE THEY MOVING? A typical meteoroid from the Perseids is traveling at more than 133,000 miles per hour when it hits the planet's atmosphere. Most of them are extremely small and are quickly destroyed. In rare situations, meteor fragments will make it to the ground. That's when the term changes from meteor to meteorite. The speed combined with the friction of the atmosphere drastically heats up the meteors. NASA estimates they reach upwards of 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit while traversing Earth's atmosphere. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE THE PERSEIDS? Stargazing experts recommend going to the darkest possible location — dark sky parks are a great bet — and take 30 minutes or so to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark. The meteor shower typically starts around 11 p.m. and continues until dawn. The can be found in the northeast horizon and is somewhat shaped like a stick figure with a pointed head. It's usually easier to find — a brighter constellation shaped like a W. Perseus and the origin point for the Perseids will be slightly below. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Science
- Forbes
The Perseid Meteor Shower Begins Thursday: When To See It At Its Best
A perseid 'falling star' on a clear sky in august The Perseid meteor shower in 2025 will begin in perfect conditions — but it won't last. The much loved annual summer display of 'shooting stars' in the Northern Hemisphere will commence on Thursday, July 17, but with the peak night in August set to be marred by strong moonlight, there are two nights to see it at its best. Here's everything you need to know about this year's Perseid meteor shower. Where And When To Look The best time to see the Perseid meteor shower is typically on its peak night, which this year occurs overnight on Aug. 12-13, when up to 100 meteors per hour can be visible under perfect conditions. However, that's just a few days after a full moon, which will bleach the night sky and make all but the brightest Perseids visible. The best nights to see the Perseids this year will, therefore, be away from the peak night. On July 17, the last quarter moon will rise around midnight and later each night after that for the next week. That creates a nice viewing window from July 17-30, during which you should see a few Perseids. With the Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornid meteors showers peaking together overnight on July 29-30, that's probably the best night for shooting stars this summer. Around Aug. 15, when the full moon has waned, is another good time to see some stragglers from the Perseids. What You'll See During this early phase of the Perseids, rates will be modest — perhaps 5–15 meteors per hour. But what you miss in quantity, you'll make up for in quality: skies will be darker now than they will be during the August peak when the full moon will overpower all but the brightest shooting stars. Luckily, the Perseids are known for their fast, bright meteors, many with long trails. Look vaguely northeast for the radiant of the Perseids, which lies in the constellation Perseus. However, meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, so give yourself a wide, unobstructed view. Observing Tips For the best chance of seeing Perseids, find a dark location away from city lights. Clear weather is key, so check local forecasts and scout a location with minimal horizon obstructions. Meteor showers are best observed with the naked eye, with a telescope or binoculars a poor choice. A lawn chair can help, or lie on your back on a blanket. Avoid looking at phones, which will instantly kill your night vision, and use red lights instead. The wise stargazer brings warm clothes, bug spray and snacks — and takes breaks from staring at the sky every 30 minutes or so. What's Next In The Night Sky The next major meteor shower after the Perseids is the Orionids. Active from Oct. 2 to Nov. 12, that meteor shower will peak overnight on Oct. 22-23. It coincides with October's new moon, so conditions should be perfect — clear skies allowing. However, at 10-20 shooting stars per hour (away from light pollution), it's not as prolific as the Perseids. For exact timings, use a sunrise and sunset calculator for where you are, Stellarium Web for a sky chart and Night Sky Tonight: Visible Planets at Your Location for positions and rise/set times for planets. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
