The Mighty Perseids - Meteors are Coming!

Each year, there are a handful of impressive meteor showers, and one of the largest and best this year will be the Perseids. The quarter moon will set just before midnight, when the shower activity peaks, and if you're in a dark spot expect to see maybe 50-60 shooting stars per hour. Steve Fentress, veteran astronomer and planetarium director, joins us to provide viewing tips, a meteor shower, and star lore over the ages, and more.
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Main Topic: The Perseid Meteor Shower
The Perseid meteor shower, peaking around August 12th, is expected to be especially impressive this year due to favorable moon conditions
Observers can expect to see up to one or two meteors per minute under dark sky conditions
The Perseids are created by debris left behind by comet 109P Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 133 years
Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli first identified the connection between the Perseids and comet Swift-Tuttle in the 19th century
The colors observed in meteors are caused by different chemical elements in the meteoroids and Earth's atmosphere
Steve Fentress shares the fascinating history of meteor shower observations and their connection to comets
Tips for observing the Perseids include finding a dark location, dressing warmly, and watching the sky between 3 AM and dawn
The future of planetariums lies in becoming valuable community resources and embracing new technologies to create engaging experiences for visitors
Steve Fentress discusses his book "Sky to Space" and his new podcast, "The Forgotten Bookshelf," which features interesting and obscure topics from old books
Host: Rod Pyle
Co-Host: Isaac Arthur
Guest: Steve Fentress
This Week in Space episode 123
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