The Perseids have rightly been called the major summer starfall. Its period is from 17 July to 24 August, but the peak of the flow in 2024 is two summer nights, from 11 to 12 and from 12 to 13 August. Expect up to 100 falling “stars” per hour. Interesting data for 1863: then observers recorded in the sky at 215 bright flashes per hour.
Observe the Perseids usually begin at 11 pm local time. After midnight, the intensity of the stream, as a rule, increases and reaches a maximum by 4.30 am.
The stream is formed by the tail of the Swift-Tuttle comet. The comet has passed, the “rubbish” plume remained. In it, as in a river, every year the Earth enters, revolving around the Sun. The meteor stream moves from the constellation Perseus, looking for the constellation Perseus should be in the northern part of the sky – just below and to the left of the constellation Cassiopeia, which in shape resembles the letter “W”. therefore the name – Perseids.
At the same time as the Perseids, the Capricornids can fly in at the same time. But it’s easy enough to tell them apart. Perseids are usually white. Capricornids are yellow and orange.
