Posted by Bruce Jensen on August 06, 1997 at 12:51:53:
In Reply to: Perseid Meteor Showers posted by Shining Aspen on August 06, 1997 at 12:13:47:
: Just a reminder to everyone who will be visiting Yellowstone this week and next. What better place to be than Yellowstone, to watch falling stars. I was there last year during the meteor showers (wish I was there now!) We saw quite a few in a short period of time. I recommend stopping at an out-of-the-way turnout to watch for shooting stars. Enjoy!!! Shining Aspen
: An excellent idea! The Perseids are one of the best showers of the year and certainly the finest in warm weather months, with numbers in recent years ranging from 50 up 125 per hour in dark sites (this is a lot!). It includes a fair share of large bright fireballs. It is best seen between the hours of 1:30 AM and first twilight on August 10/11/12, but is around both before and after those dates. The reason for the early AM is that this is when the earth's surface for the local observer is rotating into the direction of the earth's travel (and therefore the path of the meteors). Conditions this year should be good, with the moon either setting or on the horizon by early to mid-morning (after midnight, that is) so its light won't interfere. The shower radiates from a point in the constellation Perseus (hence the name), which rises in the ENE shortly after midnight. By 2:00 AM it is rather high in the ENE sky. The meteors won't necessarily begin at this point; but if you draw a line backward along the path of each meteor, the lines will at least intersect in Perseus. Meteors may be seen all night, radiating from many locations (either minor shower members or random meteors), but the meteor shower will show a definite direction. For more metoer information, try the link below. Great parks like Yellowstone are valuable for many reasons, including the presence of wonderfully dark skies for stargazing. When the skies are clear, take advantage of Yellowstone's darkness; it can be another facet of a wonderful experience at this beautiful place.