Shooting, falling, streaking — no matter which word you use to describe stars, this is the month to make wishes.
The Perseids meteor shower, named for the Perseus constellation from which the meteors originate and the most celebrated of such celestial happenings, began July 23 and is visible in the skies until Aug. 22. The maximum activity is set to occur between Aug. 4 and Aug. 12, with an estimated 80 meteors to fall per hour.
“This is by far the most popular of all meteor showers,” said Robert Zimmerman, a University physics professor. “They are brighter and about one falls every minute.”
Although they are brighter than usual, for the most part the meteors that fall are fairly small.
“They are usually only about the size of a dust particle,” said Freddie Domineack, president of the Eugene Astronomical Society. “While some are the size of a pebble, they are falling at about 45,000 miles per hour.”
This particular meteor shower has been seen throughout history.
“This is the most famous of all meteor showers — it was recorded in Chinese history before the birth of Christ,” said James Schombert, a University physics professor. “Babylonian and Greek recordings of it go back to the 8th, 9th and 10th centuries.”
In past years, observers in Europe have recorded as many as 500 falling stars per hour. Rates have gone up and down throughout the years, but this year it may be a bit harder to see the showers.
“The problem this year is there is going to be a bright moon,” Zimmerman said. “To see them the best you really need a dark sky.”
So where is the best place to go?
According to Zimmerman, the trick is to get away from the city lights.
“You don’t want to drive far, [so] I usually tell people to go out in the valley around Goshen,” Zimmerman said. “Or the other side of Spencer Butte that is blocked from the city lights.”
Domineack also suggests finding a nice dark place.
“Go somewhere you can get a view of the whole sky, [such as] Fern Ridge Reservoir or 25th and Lawrence,” he said, referring to the lake east of town and one of the highest points in Eugene, respectively. “If you really want a good view, go to Eastern Oregon’s Pine Mountain Observatory.”
The observatory in located approximately 26 miles southeast of Bend, and is at an elevation of 6,500 feet.
Once you have found the appropriate place to search, begin scanning the skies between the Little Dipper and the Big Dipper in the northeast, right by the W that is formed in the sky, the constellation known as Cassiopeia, Zimmerman said.
Because of this year’s bright moon, experts suggest the best time to see the stars is the period in the early morning hours, around 3 a.m., before the sun comes up.
“This is the period of time when the sky is very dark,” Zimmerman said.
While astronomers and star gazers will be looking toward the sky to catch a glance at a few meteors, Zimmerman had a few words of practical advice.
“Don’t be disappointed if it’s not a fireworks display,” he said. “But you should be sure to see one.”
For more information about the Perseids meteor shower, contact Freddie Domineack at 461-4665.