Again in August taking advantage of the summer, the good weather and the possibility of accessing a very open space without light pollution, we have the option to see the Famous Perseids with the kids. In 2013, it is expected that the rain of stars will have its greatest activity on the early morning of the 12th, as well as throughout the following night from the 12th to the 13th of August. The moon is in a growing phase and is soon hidden so it will not harm your vision. Obviously the forecast of clouds depends on each corner from which you want to see this astronomical phenomenon. As we always say, it is essential to find a good place, quiet, with little pollution and enjoy a free show, suitable for all audiences and the duration you estimate.
As we always have in Peques y Más, the constellation of the Perseids is related to the rain of stars that happens between July and August of each year, although the busiest days are those between August 11 and 13. The moon is not full this year, it will be about halfway through the horizon before midnight, it is a full moon on August 21.
If you have the option to approach a clear place, with the kids, lie down, cover up and enjoy if you are lucky counting meteorites at nightfall, take a picture and before the children fall asleep. It is a way to create a fondness for astronomy. Time will have to be closer to other more ambitious goals.
As we always say, the best way to enjoy the rain of stars is with the naked eye, without binoculars or telescopes and in a comfortable position that allows you to see the largest possible field of sky. So look for a clear horizon, look northeast and enjoy the show.
If you can not see many remember that there are many lucky people in the world who do see them, photograph them and also share them on the Internet like the one in the beautiful image which illustrates the article and was obtained in 2012. It is a photograph of the Via Lactea of the Sagittarius and Scorpio area, taken from the Astronomical Observatory of Gran Canaria on the night of August 10, 2010 about 00:00 local time.
I also link an article in the newspaper El Mundo that proposes the rain of stars as a tourist destination, in Great Britain! Anyway, I hope that in Spain a leisure and entertainment offer suitable for the whole family will be consolidated soon as they do in other countries and soon we can also tell it here.
