WHAT'S YOUR WEATHER LIKE - 2017

The day's skies got better and better throughout the day with lots of cloud in the morning but then starting to clear in the afternoon. The top temperature was 68f, the breeze managed to get up to 6mph for a short while but has quietened down now. So right now there are clear skies, the temperature is 63f with a pressure reading of 999hpa and the Observatory is powered up. For those who suffer in their area with light pollution there might be a bit of difficulty seeing some, if any, of the Perseids Meteor Shower but if you don't look, you won't see!!

017 Perseid Meteor Shower

The 2017 Perseids will peak on the night of August 12 and early morning hours of August 13. This year, a Waning Gibbous Moonmay hinder a good view of the meteor shower.


Radiant of the Perseid meteor shower.

Based on NASA illustration

When Can I See the Perseids?
The Perseid meteor shower, one of the brighter meteor showers of the year, occurs every year between July 17 and August 24. The shower tends to peak around August 9-13.

The best time to view the Perseids, and most other meteor showers, is when the sky is the darkest. Most astronomers suggest that depending on the Moon’s phase, the best time to view meteor showers is right before dawn.

Sunrise & sunset in your city

Comet Swift-Tuttle
Made of tiny space debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus. This is because the direction, or radiant, from which the shower seems to come in the sky lies in the same direction as the constellation Perseus, which can be found in the north-eastern part of the sky.

While the skies are lit up several times a year by other meteor showers, the Perseids are widely sought after by astronomers and stargazers. This is because, at its peak, one can see 60 to 100 meteors in an hour from a dark place.

Where Can I See the Perseids?
The Perseids can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere. Look between the radiant, which will be in the north-east part of the sky, and the zenith (the point in the sky directly above you).

While you can easily see a shooting star with the naked eye just looking straight up, the table below shows the exact direction of the Perseids from your location.

Location in the Sky Tonight
NOTE: The table below changes every day to show the coming night's location

Perseids meteor shower for Runcorn (Night between 12 August and 13 August)
Time Azimuth/Direction Altitude
Sat 22:00 25° 27.3°
Sat 23:00 33° 31.6°
Sun 00:00 40° 36.9°
Sun 01:00 46° 43.0°
Sun 02:00 52° 49.8°
Sun 03:00 57° 57.1°
Sun 04:00 61° 64.8°
Sun 05:00 62° 72.7°
Direction to see the Perseids in the sky:

• Azimuth is the direction, based on true north; a compass might show a slightly different value.
• Altitude is height in degrees over horizon.

Set your location
How to Watch Meteor Showers

• Check the weather: Meteors, or shooting stars, are easy to spot. All you need is clear skies and a pair of eyes.
• Get out of town: Find a place as far away as possible from artificial lights.
• Prepare to wait: Bring something to sit or lie down on. Star gazing is a waiting game, so get comfortable.

 

Cracking image @Jiffy one for the wall in a frame,better than the Hay Wain

Lovely Day