The Perseids: Nature's Fireworks in the Summer Night Skies

One of the best shows in the summer night skies is put on by the Perseids. These meteors are bright and fast and are followed by brightly lit trains, making them easy for even young children to spot. The Perseids are visible from mid July through mid August, but August 12, 2009 is the date when they will peak with 60 or more per hour streaking through the sky. The peak will occur during the wee hours of August 12, so if you want the entire Peak Show you can stay up all night August 11 - 12.

Watching these meteors is a wonderful family activity. Kids will enjoy scoping out the night sky early and locating the constellations and the area where the meteor showers will originate. Let them do this a few times before August 12, and they can also notice the changing phases of the moon. If the night is right, they may also see some early meteor activity in their own Sneak Peak Show.

Perseids are visible over the whole sky, but they originate from an area in the sky near the constellation, Perseus. Help the kids find Cassiopeia (the constellation that makes a "W") and Perseus will be just below it. In the northern hemisphere these constellations are in the northeastern sky in August. The meteors radiate from an area near Perseus; if you are watching you will see them shooting out in all directions from the constellation. There will be so many and they will be so bright, it will be impossible to miss them. These "shooting stars" will be visible just about anywhere when you look up. An unlit flat place out in the country will give the best view. You'll be able to see a few meteors before moonrise, and they will continue all night, increasing in numbers and frequency and peaking just before dawn.

The moon plays a part in how we can see the meteors. Some years it is low in the sky and almost completely out of the way, allowing the meteors to brightly contrast with the dark sky. This year, 2009, the moon is still low in the sky, but it will rise about midnight, which is the time the Perseids begin to move towards their peak. It is a waning gibbous moon, which means that it is between half and full, waning towards a new moon. The reflective area of the moon waxes from none (new moon) to crescent, quarter, half, gibbous, full, and then wanes back through the phases to new again. Gibbous means "humped", which is used to describe the shape we see of the moon between half and full. It is also a word that will give your kids a good laugh. On the night of August 11-12 you may be able to see the moon glowing red in the lower eastern sky just as it clears the horizon around midnight. Like a sunrise, the red will fade quickly, but a red moon is very cool for kids of any age.

You won't need a telescope or any fancy hobby astronomy gear. However, a constellation chart is always fun; make copies of a simple constellation chart so each child can have their own. This is the night to be a lawn-sitter. Make yourself comfortable in a lawn chair, lie back, and watch the sky. Get out the sleeping bags for the kids. Gather flashlights. Have some snacks ready. Check out this link to an old Perry Como song called "Catch a Falling Star" with lyrics and Perry himself singing.

If the weather forecast is not cooperative for the August 11-12 date, you can still see a very good show a few nights earlier or later. Since August 11-12 is a Tuesday night, a weekend viewing will probably work better with busy schedules, too.