Spectacular Meteor Shower and Rare Planet Alignment Coincide (tonite thru pre-dawn FRiday)

Space.com ^ | 8/13/10 | Robert Roy Britt

[NormsRevenge]

Update Aug. 12, 4:15 p.m. ET: The International Meteor Organization reports that hourly rate for Perseid meteors has climbed from the low 20s Tuesday into the 30s on Wednesday and now into the 40s. This represents the number of meteors observable per under perfectly dark skies. While the typical person's actual observation will be lower, the rising rate — fully expected — indicates the peak tonight and Friday morning will indeed be worth viewing, as predicted. — RRB

The annual Perseid meteor shower is already putting on an excellent show, and the celestial fireworks have yet to peak. The main event is tonight. Meanwhile, a delightfully tight configuration of planets graces the evening sky.

Rarely has there been a better time to go out, look up and enjoy easy-to-watch cosmic spectacles.

Across the Northern Hemisphere, the best time to watch the Perseid meteor shower will be tonight through the pre-dawn hours local time Friday, regardless of where you live. Weather permitting, patient skywatchers could see a shooting star every minute or so.

The Perseids are always reliable and sometimes rather spectacular. Only bad weather or bright moonlight can put a damper on the event, and this year the moon — a thin crescent that will set right after the sun — is not a factor.

Astronomers are expecting the best, and skywatchers around the globe are seeing encouraging, sometimes explosive signs. Several of the Perseids' characteristic fireballs and exploding meteors, called bolides, have been spotted.

"On Saturday night, one bolide lit up the field," said Steve Lieber of the Astronomical Society of Long Island. "Looked like a flash going off. Saw the vapor trail for 15 to 20 seconds after that."

Vapor trails are striking and sometimes colorful streams, looking like smoke, that can linger after particularly bright meteors. ..

[NormsRevenge]

saw a nice bright one at twilight a few evenings ago.. lasted a couple seconds at least

[Battle Axe]

Am headed out to my new three seater swing to watch.

[NormsRevenge]

just make sure you secure yourself in your lawn chair or cot when viewing and drinking

and as always

pics are welcome!!

[TSgt]

I’ve already seen a few here in Ohio. A great night for viewing!

[MountainDad]

The dogs and I are headed outside waiting for the show.

Hope the lights from far away Omaha don't hurt.

[cripplecreek]

I was just out in the yard. Nothing yet but the dog has been wanting to hunt in the yard in the middle of the night and maybe I’ll get some pics then.

[Hoodat]

I sat out for a while last night, but didn’t see a single one.

[NewHampshireDuo]

We saw two, one very bright, while walking the dog a few minutes ago. Dog didn’t care.

[Global2010]

Thanks so much for posting this info.

Our weather up here on the PNW coast is calling for real summer temps in the 80’s and clear skies.

We are planning to go out Friday night if this is so.

Not clear tonight. But I will go out and check around 1am as it usually is clear and calm around that time no matter what the day did.

We have a great place for star gazing and with the added sky fireballs, sliver of the moon and trio of planets that are going to be above the moon it will be a peacefilled/serene time to enjoy and Thank God for our Lucky stars. : )

I don’t remember who the ping person is for these type of events, darnit.

[Global2010]

LOL Dog can’t smell stars, or he would care.

[ETL]

As for the planets, Saturn, Venus, and Mars all set at about 10PM tonight, as does the crescent moon.

Source for map:
http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=12&month=08&year=2010

[ETL]

Venus is the extremely bright white “star”. Saturn and Mars are relatively dim at this time, both being especially far from the Earth now. They are both currently on the other side of the Sun and appear somewhat yellow in color. Mars is on the upper left of Venus, Saturn on the upper right.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I don’t remember who the ping person is for these type of events, darnit.

I think it's KevinDavis.

[radu]

If last night’s viewing is any indicator, tonight should be a decent show. I saw more bright fireballs last night than I can remember seeing in one night, as well as a lot of relatively bright shooters.

The later, the better seems to be the key to seeing a lot of meteors. I didn’t see many around midnight, but from 2 a.m. on, the skies got busier.

Happy viewing! Let’s all hope for a good show!

[Global2010]

Exciting.

[PghBaldy]

I saw two. Then, I saw red lights about 5-6 feet high, several of them coming towards me in the pitch-black. Trespassers in my mom’s year at 230am... They must have been smoking caused I smelled cigs. CREEPED me out as I think my mom’s German Shepherd and I scared them and they were walking fast. At first, I (seriously) thought it was Druids or Satanists! I need to cut back on caffeine at night. Probably just kids sneaking home.

[ETL]

CREEPED me out as I think my mom’s German Shepherd and I scared them and they were walking fast. At first, I (seriously) thought it was Druids or Satanists!

Speaking of 'creeps and Satanists', check out this post of mine from June 21, 2010 and the few followups:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2538839/posts?page=18#18