Annual Meteor Shower

Meteor Shower

Meteor Shower would be the most awesome and fun astronomical event that can happen every year.

so this are the list of the Major Meteor Shower:

Quadrantids: this meteor shower is originated from the constellation Quadran Muralis. On modern star charts, this radiant is located where the constellations Hercules, Bootes, Draco meet in the sky, can produce over 100 meteors per hour. peak date January 2-3.

Lyrids: an April meteor shower event, looking at the night sky during april 21-22 you will see the constellation lyra, that produce 10-20 meteors per hour. April here in the Philippines is good for observation activities. Lyrids produce fireballs that are bright enough for you to satisfy your night observation. (Pictures: left-right South view and North View)

Eta Aquarids: this meteor shower is mostly active at the southern hemisphere, it can produce 60 meteors per hour, while in northern hemisphere it produce 30 meteors per hour. Eta Aquarid meteor shower is from the constellation Aquarius. peak date May 4-5.

Delta Aquarids: a meteor shower during the month of July, say hello to Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower. it peaks on July 27-28 and can produce 20 meteors per hour.

Perseids: one of the famous meteor shower, it provide blue and white fireballs. constellation Perseus is easy to spot, always look for Cassiopeia, Cepheus and Andromeda, Perseus is near to them. August 11-12 is the best night for you to observe the Perseid meteor shower, it produce 60 meteors per hour.

Draconids: good for people who don't want to observe in the morning, Draconids produce its meteor during evening sky. Draconids is the opening meteor shower event in the month of October before Orionids. peak dates October 7-8 and produce 10 meteors per hour.

Orionids: considered as one of the famous meteor shower. constellation Orion is the most easy to spot during the winter solstice night sky. Orionids falls from the month of October and peaks on October 21-22. it produce 20 meteors per hour.

Taurids: the Taurid meteor shower is divided into two south and north Taurid meteor shower. both peaks in the month of november during 1st and 2nd week of November. South Taurid meteor shower; peak date: November 4-5 and produce 7 meteors per hour. North Taurid meteor shower; peak date: november 11-12 and produce 7 meteors per hour.

Leonids: one of the famous meteor shower. produce 15 meteors per hour, but in the history of Astronomy leonids produce hundred of meteors per hour, they call it meteor storm and it happens every 33 years. peak date: November 16-17.

Geminids: most awaited and famous meteor shower. even though your in a polluted area, you can still see the Geminid meteor shower. produce 50-100 meteors per hour and the most awesome thing in this meteor shower, are multi colored it has yellow, orange, white, blue, violet, green etc... December 13-14 are the peak dates of the Geminid meteor shower.

Ursids: the last meteor shower event. from the constellation Ursa Minor, this Ursid meteor shower is visible in the northern hemisphere. produce 10 meteor per hour and peaks on December 21-22 before Christmas.

for more information:
www.seasky.org

EarthSky

MeteorShowerOnline

Comet ISON

Peak for the upcoming Comet ISON 

A freshly discovered comet has contributed a slam on today's news. C/2012 S1 or commonly known as Comet ISON was the name given for the comet, in lined with the organization who made the discovery. The International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) in Russia has the credit for the detection of this heavenly body. The said comet has a potential to put a spectacular display on the sky.

Russians Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok are the ones who revealed the new found low-mass member of the solar system by photographs taken on September 21, 2012 using a 15.7 inches (0.4 meter) reflecting telescope of the ISON. Similar to other comets, they move in a highly elliptical orbit and undergoing great changes and appearance as it approaches and recedes from the Sun. According to study, it can be visible by August 2013 only through the aid of telescopes and binoculars. It becomes observable to the naked eye by late October or early November until mid January 2014. When the time the comet reaches its perihelion on late November, it may become very bright if it remains intact. In fact, their prediction says that it can turn to be as luminous as the full Moon.

Meanwhile, an amateur astronomer Mike Mattei had noticed that our planet would be passing the orbit of Comet ISON which can create a possibility for meteor shower around January 2014. Dust particles from comets produce the bright streaks known as meteors when they burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

Comet ISON would go through different constellations and planets like Mars and Saturn. The final comet that was seen on Earth was Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997. Another is the brief appearance of Comet 17P/Holmes in 2007. Comet ISON would surely mark in the 2013. The peak of Comet ISON would be a great phenomenon to be witnessed in the field of Astronomy. It is truly a blessing that we can remark such dazzling experience. 

By: Xyrene Freda B. Angeles

For more information about Comet ISON:
Earthsky
Space.com