The astronomical phenomenon of the Perseids, which started on July 17 and will last until August 24, peaks today and tomorrow, astrophysicist Chrysanthos Fakas told KYPE.
As Mr. Fakas explains, the phenomenon is called “Perseides”, because the radiant point from which the stars seem to fall is the constellation Perseus, which is why the people gave the phenomenon this name.
However, as he notes, in reality, they are not falling stars, but pebbles that come into the atmosphere due to the Earth's gravity. “These rocks begin to develop very high speeds, i.e. 50-60 km/second”, Mr. Fakas states to KYPE, adding that due to this enormous speed, they develop very high temperatures and begin to melt in the sky.
These pebbles are located where the Earth is passing today and tomorrow because a comet in the past passed by and left them there, he explains.
“Tonight the world can see other constellations in the sky, such as the constellations of Scorpius and Antares, the planet Saturn and the moon”, emphasizes the well-known astrophysicist, clarifying that the moon will set around midnight, which favors the observation of the stars. “So those who are patient will see a lot of Perseids after midnight, as the constellation Perseus will be ideal for viewing.”
In addition, Chrysanthos Fakas encourages the Cypriot public to enjoy the Perseid phenomenon outdoors or away from the lights and exhaust fumes. “Those who are in the cities unfortunately can't observe it well,” he adds.
“Those of the small stones that will shine in the sky tonight will be called meteors. Those that will be very resistant and manage to reach the surface of the Earth are called meteorites”, he says, adding that the probability of finding a meteorite is “infinitely small”, since most of the Earth is desert and sea.
Finally, Chrysanthos Fakas reports that tonight at 21:00 the Astronomical Society of Cyprus, the Kition Planetarium & The Observatory and the Observatory of Faka Teaching Schools are organizing an astronomical evening in the forecourt of the Holy Church of Agios Arsenios in Kyperounda. Entrance is free, and there will be telescopes that will facilitate the observation of the astronomical phenomenon.
Source: KYPE
