Published on 12/22/2023 at 22:05 | Updated on 22/12/2023 at 22:50
The Ursid meteor shower will peak between Friday the 22nd and Saturday the 23rd. This phenomenon, which began on December 17th, is supposed to occur this year until next Tuesday the 26th. According to the Royal Museums of Greenwich, the forecast is about five to ten meteors per hour at its peak.
Meteors are debris that enter our planet's atmosphere at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per second, evaporating and causing light rays that we call meteors.
“The Ursid meteors appear to radiate near the star Beta Ursae Minoris (Kochab) in the constellation Ursa Minor. However, the true source of the shooting stars is a stream of debris left behind by comet 8P/Tuttle,” adds the Royal Greenwich Museum. .
When does the Ursid meteor shower occur?
– Between 17 and 26 December;
– Peak between December 22 and 23 – about five to ten meteors per hour.
How to watch the Ursid meteor shower?
The Ursid meteor shower occurs around the winter solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere), so a person will have the maximum number of hours of darkness for stargazing. However, in 2023, maximum precipitation will occur when the moon is in its waning phase, conditions that will not be suitable for seeing this rain.
Currently, the Moon is approximately 80% visible and growing in its first quarter phase. There are four days left until the full moon phase. This way, you end up being exposed.
“Meteor hunting, like the rest of astronomy, is a waiting game, so it's best to bring a comfortable chair to sit and warm up as you may be outside for a while. They can be seen with the naked eye, so there's no need for binoculars or a telescope, although you will need a Allow your eyes to adapt to the dark,” adds the Royal Greenwich Museum.
In the Southern Hemisphere, which includes Brazil, meteor showers are unlikely to have good visibility. According to the Planetary Society, only the northern regions of the Southern Hemisphere have a greater chance of observing this phenomenon, but nevertheless, in a less intense manner. The American Meteor Society also says that in the southern part of the planet, the few visible meteors should only appear at midnight.
For Brazilians who still want to take a risk and stay up waiting for the rain, some advice from astronomers: To get a greater view, it is recommended to be in a safe place, away from street lights and other sources of light pollution. “Meteors can be seen all over the sky, so it's ideal to be in an open area where you can examine the night sky with your own eyes.”
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