The Perseidsalso known as ‘Tears of San Lorenzo’They are the Greater astronomical show of the year. Every summer takes place between the July 17 and August 24but its Maximum peakwhen it is possible to see hundreds of meteors crossing the sky, it occurs between the August 12 and 13. From Spain, however, the moment of greatest activity will take place among the 15:00 and 6:00 p.m. Tomorrow, August 12, so it will not be visible. But that same night, from 12 to 13, they can be contemplated until 200 meteors per hour.
The celestial show is caused by the trajectory of the orbit of the Landthat every year crosses the waste field left by theComet Swift-Tuttle in its path, also in orbit around Sun. The fleeting stars that are seen in the sky are tiny fragments of the kite that, when coming into contact with the Earth’s atmosphere at speeds around 200,000 kilometers per hourthey heat, shine and disintegrate leaving a trail in their path.
The phenomenon is known from the antique and his first record dates from the year 36 d. C.in China. The name of Perseidas is as circumstant as the popular tears of San Lorenzo. In the first case, it is because, looking at the sky, they seem to come from the constellation of Perseus; In the second, to the August 10 It is San Lorenzo, who died burning on a grill that same day of the year 258 d. C.. Over time, the Catholic tradition associated the phenomenon of persistent with tears he poured during his martyrdom.
Be able to enjoy the Perseids in the morning of August 13 It requires moving away from cities. The light pollution It is an insurmountable obstacle for the observation of heavens, so it is not possible to do it from urban environments. For that reason, to know the best nearby places from which to be able to observe them, a tool such as the Map of light pollution.
LIGHT POLLUTION MAP It is an interactive map that uses various sources of information, applied to the maps of Bingto visually show the degree of light pollution in each country. In order to enjoy the experience of the Perseidas, in addition to the absence of light pollution, the higher possible altitudedata that the tool offers.
The user only has to focus the map on their location and look for the point with less interference from artificial light sources – the areas in colder colors – and with the highest altitude to ensure better visibility. This last data is obtained double clicking on the chosen location, so that the map shows a window with information such as the Elevation of the land and the degree of Artificial brightness In that place.
The map is available on its website for free and also has apps for Android and iOSyou are paying and with a cost each of 4.99 euros.