WATCH ABOVE: Astronomer Alan Dyer joins Global Calgary with details on how to catch the Perseid meteor shower in Calgary this week.
CALGARY – The Perseids meteor shower is underway until August 26, 2015.
The annual event is widely considered to be the greatest meteor shower of the year, with as many as 100 shooting stars visible an hour.
Here are five tips to help you view the shower in Calgary with the greatest success:
- 1) Head out early Thursday morning
Peak activity for the Perseids meteor shower is from August 12 – 13, with the best viewing time expected between 12 a.m. and 2 a.m. MST on Thursday.
If you sleep through it, don’t worry – meteors will continue to be visible throughout the weekend.
- 2) Go someplace dark
Get away from the bright lights of the big city, as light pollution can hamper your viewing of the meteor shower.
“Once you get to your viewing location, search for the darkest patch of sky you can find,” suggests NASA on their website.
This year there is virtually no moonlight to upstage the shower, as we move towards a new moon on August 14.
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- 3) Look towards the constellation Perseus
Meteors will look like they’re coming from the constellation Perseus, which is located near the “W” shaped constellation Cassiopeia.
- 4) Don’t bother with a telescope or binoculars
Why? NASA points out that using a magnifying device will reduce the amount of sky you can see at one time, lowering the odds that you’ll see anything but darkness.
“Instead, let your eyes hang loose and don’t look in any one specific spot. Relaxed eyes will quickly zone in on any movement up above, and you’ll be able to spot more meteors.”
- 5) Stay warm – bring a sweater
Overnight temperatures are expected to hover between 15°C to 19°C for the rest of the week. While this may seem balmy, it’s still possible to catch a chill.
Calgary spots to watch the shower
Rothney Astrophysical Observatory
While there is no public event planned for Wednesday night (when the shower will be most active) the observatory will host its Milky Way Nights event from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Visit http://www.ucalgary.ca/rao for details.
Spark Science Centre
The science centre will be presenting its monthly Adults Only Night on Thursday with the theme “It Came From Outer Space.”
You won’t see a lot of meteors, but there will be lots of space-related activities inside and planetarium shows in the Dome. Visit www.sparkscience.ca for details.
If you miss it
According to NASA, there are three other showers throughout 2015 that will provide the casual observer with a chance to catch some shooting stars: Orionids from October 4 to Nov 14, Leonids from November 5 to 30 and Geminids from December 4 to 16.
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