The Perseid meteor shower in 2013, photographed in Sieversdorf, eastern Germany. Photo: Patrick Pleul / AFP / Lehtikuva
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The annual Perseid meteor shower will light up southern Finnish skies between 10 and 14 August, with the peak expected on the night of Tuesday 12 August, according to the Ursa Astronomical Association.
The Perseids are known for producing dozens of visible meteors each hour, making the event a popular fixture among amateur astronomers and casual stargazers alike. Some of the meteors appear bright and fast-moving, while others linger momentarily or show a reddish glow.
Visibility is expected to be strongest in southern and central parts of the country. North of Oulu, the lingering summer daylight, known as the “nightless night”, will limit viewing conditions.
Ursa recommends watching the sky from an open location away from artificial light. Built-up areas and streetlights reduce visibility, especially during low meteor activity. The association also encourages viewers to check the Skywarden Observation Service for maps of ideal observation sites.
The Perseids occur every August when Earth passes through a cloud of debris left by Comet Swift–Tuttle. As the fragments enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up and create visible streaks of light.
While meteor activity varies from year to year, the Perseids are consistently one of the most active and visible showers. Conditions for this year’s display are expected to be favourable, provided skies remain clear.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
