By Brian Jules Campued
August is shaping up to be a treat to Filipino skywatchers as two meteor showers are set to paint our night sky with stunning displays of shooting stars—perfect for an outdoor camping trip away from the city lights and commune with nature.
In its astronomical diary of the month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that up to 150 meteors per hour are expected to grace the country’s night sky during the peak activity of the Perseid meteor shower on August 12.
Created by the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, the meteor shower has been visible since July 17 and will continue until August 24.
PAGASA said that in Manila, the shower will be active from 10:05 p.m. until dawn at around 5:16 a.m., when the constellation Aquarius, its radiant point, will be above the horizon.
“The radiant point is highest in the sky at around 6:00 a.m., thus, the best view of the meteor[s] is likely [to be] produced shortly before sunrise,” the state weather bureau said.
Meanwhile, another meteor shower called the Aurigids will be active from August 28 to September 5, with peak activity on August 31.
“It will be visible from 12:29 a.m. until around 5:19 a.m., when its radiant point, the constellation Auriga, is above the eastern horizon,” PAGASA said, adding that the meteor shower will show its best display shortly before dawn.
Approximately six meteors per hour are expected to be produced by the celestial event.
PAGASA also noted that meteor-watching during the whole night will not be affected by moonlight, as the Perseid meteor shower’s peak activity will occur during the moon’s first quarter phase, while the Aurigid’s peak activity will occur on a new moon phase.
The agency advised the public to choose a dark observation site under clear and moonless sky conditions since the meteor showers can be viewed without using special equipment like telescopes and binoculars.
Another good news for stargazers is that “Global Sleep Under the Stars Night” lands in the middle of the Perseid meteor showers! Why not use the opportunity to spend a night under the stars? – av