Thailand Could Experience A Spectacular Meteor Display Tonight

Fancy doing something different tonight?

For those of you in Thailand that like to stay up late, you could be treated to a spectacular Perseid meteor show, weather permitting of course.

The National Astronomy Research Institute of Thailand said the meteor shower will be visible late on Saturday evening and into the early hours of Sunday morning and it should be viewable from anywhere in Thailand by looking up towards the skies of the north east.

However, what is on offer to those who are interested, very much depends on weather conditions, so let us hope for clear skies. Depending on what weather app you use, it will either be mainly clear or cloudy as forecasters hedge their bets.

What are Perseid Showers?

They are associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle and are known to be prolific meteor shows. They are known as Perseids because of the point they appear to radiate from in the constellation known as Perseus.

The name comes from the Greek word Perseides, found in Greek mythology and refers to the son of Perseus, a slayer of monsters before the days of Hercules.

The cloud emitted from the comet is full of particles, most of which have been part of the comet for thousands of years.

The display is viewable from the middle of July each year but its pinnacle is between the 9th and 14th of August. At its peak, there will be up to 60 meteors per hour on on view. The northern hemisphere tends to be afforded the best displays as long bright light trails and the occasional fireballs, light up the sky.

If it is half as good as the description it maybe worth gazing up to the stars later this evening.

Source: The Nation

Content: TPVS