"Mystery objects fall from the sky"
Imagine as I woke up today to read my daily RSS feeds and saw that headline. First of all, where was I when all of this happened?? I wouldn't want to miss that.
According to the news, this mystery object that the Scottsdale neighborhood saw and heard ("...like someone taking a sledgehammer and banging a big metal drum" ) at around 2am, was a bollide. It's a meteoric fireball that is known to hit the ground on occasion. Not this time, though. The bollide appeared before the expected peak of the Perseid shower this Sunday.
From what I've read from the news and sky watching enthusiasts sites, we're in for a treat with this coming weekend's meteor shower. Not only does the peak of the Perseid fall on the weekend (great timing), but it will occur during a new moon as well. To us, that would mean a canvass of dark skies to better see the meteors in.
Here's how to get the best Perseid's experience:
It’s expected to display the greatest number of meteors Sunday morning (August 12), late Sunday night and Monday morning (August 13) before dawn. But you’ll see some Perseids Saturday (August 11) before dawn, too.
...The Perseids are an especially rich and dependable meteor shower. They shoot all across the sky – often leaving persistent trains – and occasionally lighting things up with bright fireballs. To watch the show, find a dark, open sky. Get away from city lights, and give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adapt to the dark. The Perseid shower favors northern hemisphere skywatchers. Again, the best time to watch: Sunday morning, late Sunday night and Monday morning before dawn. At its peak, the Perseids typically produce 60 or more meteors per hour. [source]
Don't miss it! This Sunday night, grab your blankets and snacks, and lay down as you watch "a great show". Have your friends and family join you. It should be fun! Remember to look in the general northeast direction, and plan to be away from the city lights as much as possible. Enjoy and have a great weekend!
