Watch Out for Perseid Fireballs this Weekend

Source - Space Weather News for August 11, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

PERSEID FIREBALLS: The Perseid meteor shower, which peaks this weekend (Aug. 12-13), produces more fireballs than any other known annual meteor shower. (Fireballs are meteors brighter than Jupiter or Venus.) This characteristic of the Perseids is important because in 2017 the shower peaks under the light of a bright gibbous Moon. Perseid fireballs should be visible in spite of lunar interference, producing a pleasing display for anyone outdoors before sunrise on Saturday and Sunday.

Visit Spaceweather.com for observing tips.

Perseid Fireball - Taken by Piotr Majewski on August 12, 2016 @ Grodztwo, Poland 

 

Perseid Meteor Outburst

Source - Space Weather News for August 7, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

PERSEID METEOR OUTBURST: Do you love the Perseid meteor shower?  This year, you will love it even more. Forecasters say the 2016 Perseids should be twice as active as usual, filling the sky with 200+ meteors per hour on peak nights between Aug. 11th and 13th.  This is happening because Earth is heading for an unusually rich stream of debris from parent comet Swift-Tuttle.

Visit http://spaceweather.com for sky maps, observing tips, and links to live webcasts of the Perseid outburst.

Chinese Rocket Disintegrates over the USA

Source - Space Weather News for July 28, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

CHINESE ROCKET DISINTEGRATES OVER THE USA: The body of an experimental Long March 7 rocket (a type of rocket expected to play a key role in the construction of a future Chinese space station) disintegrated in the atmosphere above the western USA last night.  The glowing trail was spotted from Utah, Nevada, and much of California. 

Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos, video and more information.

THE PERSEID METEOR SHOWER IS BEGINNING: Earth is entering the outskirts of a broad stream of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, source of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Forecasters don't expect the shower to peak until Aug.11-13, but already NASA cameras are detecting Perseid fireballs streaking across the night sky as the shower slowly intensifies.

Visit http://spaceweather.com to see the first Perseid of 2016.

Perseid Meteor Shower

Source - NASA Science News for August 11, 2015

This week, Earth passes through a stream of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, source of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Forecasters say the show could be especially good because the Moon is nearly new when the shower peaks on Aug. 12-13.

The complete article can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2015/11aug_perseids/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_664lrmyGE&feature=youtu.be



Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)

Perseid Fireballs

Source - Space Weather News for August 5, 2015: http://spaceweather.com

PERSEID FIREBALLS:  One meteor shower produces more fireballs than any other--and it's underway now. Earth is entering a stream of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, source of the annual Perseid meteor shower.  NASA all-sky cameras are detecting an increasing number of Perseid fireballs as the shower's peak approaches on Aug. 12-13.

Check http://spaceweather.com for updates and more information.

Perseid Meteors vs the Supermoon

Source - NASA Science News for July 29, 2014

Which is brighter--a flurry of Perseid fireballs or a supermoon? Sky watchers will find out this August when the biggest and brightest full Moon of 2014 arrives just in time for the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower.

The complete article can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/28jul_perseids2014/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://youtu.be/JkKzMAzT5fs



License: Standard YouTube License

Weekend fireballs kick off annual Perseid meteor shower

Space Weather News for July 27, 2014: http://spaceweather.com

WEEKEND FIREBALLS:  Fireballs detected this weekend by NASA meteor cameras signal the start of the annual Perseid meteor shower.  The shower's peak isn't due until August, but now might be the best time to look.  Find out why at http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR FLARE SURPRISE? Lately, the sun has been remarkably quiet. Statistics show, however, that the most potent eruptions often occur during the declining phase of the solar cycle, taking forecasters by complete surprise. 

More than ever, now is the time for X-flare alerts available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Perseid Meteor Shower Intensifies

Source - Space Weather News for August 11, 2013: http://spaceweather.com

PERSEID METEOR SHOWER: The Perseid meteor shower is intensifying as Earth moves deeper into the debris stream of parent comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. International observers are reporting as many as 30 Perseids per hour from dark sky sites, a rate which could triple on August 12-13 when the shower peaks. Check http://spaceweather.com for updates and observing tips.

GOT CLOUDS?  You can listen to the Perseid meteor shower on Space Weather Radio, which is monitoring signals from the USAF Space Surveillance Radar. Every Perseid that flies over the radar makes an audible ping.  Hear the echoes at http://spaceweatherradio.com

First Perseid fireballs reach Earth

Source - Space Weather News for August 2, 2013: http://spaceweather.com

PERSEID METEOR SHOWER: Earth is entering a broad stream of debris from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, source of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Although the shower won't peak until August 12-13, when Earth hits the densest part of the stream, the first Perseids are already arriving. Check http://spaceweather.com for images and updates.

QUIET SUN: Many readers are asking about a recent media report, which stated that a Carrington-class solar storm narrowly missed Earth two weeks ago. That report is inaccurate.  Solar activity was low throughout July and remains low as August begins. Details at http://spaceweather.com.

SOLAR FLARE ALERTS: Would you like a call when solar flares are underway? X-flare alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Perseid Fireballs

Source NASA Science News for July 26, 2013

New research by NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office shows that one annual meteor shower produces more fireballs than any other--the Perseids. This year's Perseid peak is just around the corner on August 12-13.

The complete article can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/26jul_perseids/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO83KP54YXs



License: Standard YouTube License

The Perseid Meteor Shower is Underway

Source - Space Weather News for August 11, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

PERSEID METEOR SHOWER: Earth is entering a stream of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, source of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Worldwide observers are now reporting more than 30 Perseids per hour, a number that could triple during the weekend when Earth reaches the heart of the debris zone. Forecasters recommend looking during the dark hours before dawn, especially Sunday morning, August 12th, when activity is expected to be highest. Visit http://spaceweather.com for sky maps, observing tips, and links to a live meteor radar.

Don't just watch meteors, wear them:  Authentic meteorite jewelry is available in the Space Weather Store:  http://www.shopspaceweather.com/ownameteorite.aspx

The Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend

Source - NASA Science News for August 10, 2012

The Perseid meteor shower is underway. There's more to see than meteors, however, when the shower peaks on August 11th through 13th. The brightest planets in the solar system are lining up in the middle of the display.

The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/10aug_perseids/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=106ne66KAuw

ScienceCasts: Space Station Meteor

Source - ScienceAtNASA on Aug 18, 2011:

On August 13th, space station astronaut Ron Garan photographed a centimeter-sized chunk of comet debris disintegrating in Earth's atmosphere. His rare photo of a meteor from Earth orbit is a must-see.



Visit http://science.nasa.gov/ for more.

Perseid Meteor Shower

Source - Space Weather News for Aug. 12, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

METEOR SHOWER: The Perseid meteor shower is underway. International observers are now reporting more than 20 meteors per hour as Earth passes through a stream of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle. Forecasters expect the shower to peak on the night of Aug. 12-13. The best time to look is during the hours before dawn on Saturday morning, August 13th, when the glaring Moon is relatively low and meteor rates are highest. Visit http://spaceweather.com for full coverage.

WATCH OUT FOR THE SPACE STATION, TOO: Consider it a cosmic coincidence. During the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, the International Space Station will fly over many US towns and cities. The behemoth spacecraft is easy to see if you know when to look. Check SpaceWeather.com's Simple Satellite Tracker for flyby times: http://spaceweather.com/flybys/

ISS-Perseid Sky Show This Weekend

Source - NASA Science News for August 9, 2011

The Perseid meteor shower peaks this weekend, and the International Space Station is joining the show. Sky watchers in many US towns and cities are favored with ISS flybys on August 12-13 just when Perseid meteor activity is expected to crest under full moonlight.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/09aug_perseids2011/

ScienceCasts: Summer Meteor Shower

Source - NASAtelevision on Jul 21, 2011

If you're camping out and can't sleep, maybe your slumber is being interrupted by the flash of meteors. The summer Perseid meteor shower is getting underway as Earth enters the debris stream from comet Swift-Tuttle.



Visit http://science.nasa.gov/ for more!

Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight

Source - Space Weather News for August 12, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

PERSEID METEOR SHOWER: The annual Perseid meteor shower is underway. Earth is passing through a wide stream of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, and each time a fleck of comet dust hits Earth's atmosphere--flash!--there is a meteor. Forecasters say the shower will peak on Thursday, August 12th, and Friday, August 13th. You can see Perseids flitting across the sky at any time between about 10 pm on Thursday evening and sunrise on Friday morning. Observers who get away from city lights can expect to count dozens of meteors per hour, especially during the dark hours before dawn.

Tune into http://spaceweather.com for full coverage of the shower, including a live meteor radar, a "fireball cam," updated meteor counts and pictures from around the world.

BONUS: If you go outside a little early on Thursday evening, around sunset, you'll see a beautiful gathering of planets in the sunset sky--Venus, Mars, Saturn and the crescent Moon. It's a nice way to start a meteor watch. Sky maps may be found at http://spaceweather.com.

LOOKING FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION? Your cell phone can lead you right to it. Check out our field-tested satellite tracker for the iPhone and Android at http://simpleflybys.com.

Incoming CME could spark high-latitude auroras

Source - Space Weather News for August 9, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

INCOMING CME: The solar eruption of August 7th might affect Earth after all. Newly-arriving data from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) show a CME heading our way with a significant Earth-directed component. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras when the cloud arrives on August 10th. A movie of the CME is featured on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.

EARLY PERSEID METEORS: The Perseid meteor shower doesn't peak until August 12th, but already late-night sky watchers are seeing a nice display of shooting stars. Observers are counting as many as 20 Perseids per hour from dark sky sites, a number that could increase 3- to 5-fold before the week is over. Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms erupt at your latitude? Sign up for Space Weather Phone: http://spaceweatherphone.com

Planets Align for the Perseid Meteor Shower

Source - NASA Science News for August 5, 2010

Mark your calendar: On Thursday, August 12th, an alignment of planets in the sunset sky will kick off the finest meteor shower of 2010, the Perseids.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/05aug_perseids/

The Perseid Meteor Shower Continues....

Source - Space Weather News for August 12, 2009: http://spaceweather.com

If it's dark where you live, go outside and look for meteors. Earth is still inside the debris stream of Comet Swift-Tuttle and, as a result, the Perseid meteor shower is still active. Worldwide meteor counts raise the possibility that the show could be better tonight, Aug. 12th, than it was last night, Aug. 11th. Be alert for meteors after sunset.

Photos and updates are available at http://spaceweather.com