Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

File photo of astronomers in Bulgaria watching a Perseid meteor shower Kevin Clifford/AP/Press Association Images

Meteors to rain down on Earth over coming week

Eyes to the sky, Astronomy Ireland are expecting a celestial firework show this weekend.

EARTH IS BEGINNING to make its way through a cloud of dust and debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, and already people all over Ireland have spotted bright Perseid meteors caused by this dust, Astronomy Ireland said yesterday.

It is expected that on Saturday night, observers will get to see hundreds of meteors per hour.

When debris enters Earth’s atmosphere it lights up in the sky as meteors – also known as shooting stars – and the Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the best of the year. Already, Astronomy Ireland has received several reports from around the country of people spotting bright meteors in the night sky.

The best time to see the meteors will be after midnight on Saturday night and into Monday morning, but they can be seen at any time in the days before and after this peak once it’s dark.

Perseid meteors can glow very brightly, and with no Moon to cause a glare they will be easily visible. In fact, they sometimes burn so brightly that they produce fireballs.

The Perseid meteors will appear to originate from the constellation Perseus in the north-eastern sky, but can be seen anywhere in the sky. No telescopes or binoculars are needed to see the Perseids as they are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.

Chairman of Astronomy Ireland said:

On Tuesday night I got to see four extremely bright meteors in less than half an hour. The Moon will be out of the way so it is definitely worth going outside to try to see some Perseids for what is already proving to be an excellent shower. Sometimes large pieces of debris enter the atmosphere and flare up extremely brightly as fireballs – these can often land on the ground. We want everyone to go outside every night over the next week and take part in our Nationwide Meteor Watch.

For more information on the Perseid Meteor Shower and how to take part in the Nationwide Meteor Watch scientific research you can visit the Astronomy Ireland website.

Read: The Moon to blaze alongside Mars and Saturn over Ireland>
Read: Hubble telescope spots fifth moon near Pluto>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
13 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark O Brien
    Favourite Mark O Brien
    Report
    Aug 9th 2012, 7:57 AM

    feck off clouds!!!!

    97
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Metassus
    Favourite Metassus
    Report
    Aug 9th 2012, 9:23 AM

    Last time I had a perfect view of the Perseids was 1985. Moon and weather has conspired against me ever since, but I’ll still look up hopefully at the peak…

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gary power
    Favourite gary power
    Report
    Aug 9th 2012, 8:20 AM

    Wondering what chuck Norris was doing with a baseball bat ..

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Roche
    Favourite Brendan Roche
    Report
    Aug 9th 2012, 8:57 AM

    There’s a sh#t storm heading this way, I tell you randy.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute louise
    Favourite louise
    Report
    Aug 9th 2012, 8:36 AM

    Catch a falling star

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Maher
    Favourite Stephen Maher
    Report
    Aug 9th 2012, 8:07 AM

    The end is nigh!!

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Caroline Locke
    Favourite Caroline Locke
    Report
    Aug 10th 2012, 6:33 AM

    Jesus …I hope you are wrong.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Leddy
    Favourite Tom Leddy
    Report
    Aug 9th 2012, 9:39 AM

    What does the sky look like?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brend Egan
    Favourite Brend Egan
    Report
    Aug 9th 2012, 10:33 AM

    I cant even see my car out the front…

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damocles
    Favourite Damocles
    Report
    Aug 9th 2012, 10:37 AM

    Has someone nicked it?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brend Egan
    Favourite Brend Egan
    Report
    Aug 9th 2012, 10:48 AM

    I wish someone would tis a right heap of hipposhit…

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute jrbmc
    Favourite jrbmc
    Report
    Aug 9th 2012, 10:25 AM

    As usual won’t be able to see F.all….

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damocles
    Favourite Damocles
    Report
    Aug 9th 2012, 10:34 AM

    Praise the Lord for sending his cleansing fires!

    7
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds