Three Wise Men

Orionids 2009

Looking up the sky – a week ago my wife announced that she saw a meteor. Since we were both semi-awake at the time and I must say that probably I glimpsed at it with the corner of my eye, nodded and went to sleep. Not much to do about it … or so I thought.

As it happens we saw one of the Orionids. This is another annual meteor shower, similar to Perseids which were described in this article. As other meteor showers they are named after their radiant, which is located near constellation Orion. Usually they last from 15-29 of October with the maximum between 20-22 of October and this year the peak will be seen on the 21 of October. On average the produce from 20-25 meteors per hour. But reports are claiming that this years activity could be similar to last years, which was around 60 meteors per hour. If you were to be looking for it the radiant is about 10 degrees north of Betelgeuse in the southeastern sky.

First observations of the Orionids were made by E.C. Herrick in the 1839-1840. First documented record was which produced accurate forecasts for the next year were made by the A.S. Herschel. It is now known that the Orionids are a by product of the well-known Halley’s Comet.

Happy hunting.

Perseids 2009

“Perseids” parent body is a comet Swift-Tuttle; which was discovered in 1862 by Lewis Swift and Horace Parnell Tuttle.  Comet made a return trip back in 1992. Perseids meteor shower has been observed for about 2000 years, maybe more.  Earliest records can be seen in eastern journal and annals which date back to 36 AD. But Catholics referred to it as “tears of St. Lawrence”, since meteors seemed to be in abundance during the festival of that saint¹. This particular meteor shower was discovered by Adolphe Quételet, who made his report of meteor shower emanating from the constellation of Perseus in 1835.

Observers on the Northern Hemisphere can start seeing Perseid meteors as early as 23 of July, when one meteor per hour can be visible. During the course of three weeks this rate slowly builds-up. At peak; which is usually around August 12-13 we can spot 50-80 meteors per hour. They rapidly decline to about 10 per hour by the August 15 and can rarely be seen after the 22 of August. They emanate from constellation of Perseus. It is good to wait for the constellation to rise up on the sky and observe topically fast and bright meteors.

If you are on vacation or have time and there is not a cloud in the sky at night take a load of and catch a falling star.

1. August 10 in Italy [↩]