Perseid Meteor Shower: How to get the best views
ARMCHAIR astronomers are in for a treat as a stunning display of meteor showers will light up the sky from this evening.
The meteor shower is casts offs from a comet trail
Here's how to get the best views:
• For the best view of the Perseids, look for meteors late tonight (Tuesday) and the early morning of tomorrow (Wednesday).
• After midnight is best as that is when the Earth turns into the stream of particles from Swift-Tuttle. Avoid ambient light if you can.
• Lie on a reclining chair or a blanket on the ground, and simply look up.
• You don’t need binoculars or a telescope. Nor do you need to look right at Perseus: the meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
• Those with long streaks come into the atmosphere at an oblique angle. Those with shorter streaks enter the atmosphere at a steep angle and come more directly towards you.
• Because the radiant lies in Perseus, northern-hemisphere observers get the best view, although southerners will still see some.
• Bring: Folding chair, snacks, hot drinks, laptop or mobile with wi-fi, warm clothes and insect repellant.