Andy’s Astronomy: Meteor Shower Peaks Next Week
Put the phones down and go outside.
The ongoing Orionids Meteor Shower is projected to reach peak activity during the overnight hours of Tuesday, Oct. 21 to Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Put the phones down and go outside.
The ongoing Orionids Meteor Shower is projected to reach peak activity during the overnight hours of Tuesday, Oct. 21 to Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Generally, the Orinoids shower produces 10 to 20 meteors per hour at peak activity but upon occasion delivers more. The Moon will be waxing gibbous at about 75 percent illuminated and while it will wash out some of the fainter meteors, the shower should still produce a good show.
The Orionids Meteor Shower will end on Nov. 7.
The next significant meteor shower is the Leonids that will begin Nov. 6.
The Coca Cola Space Science Center has scheduled Astronomy Night 7 pm Saturday, Oct. 17, at the center located at 701 Front Avenue in Columbus. The event starts with a presentation in the Omnisphere Theater followed by telescope viewing at 7:30 pm, weather permitting. This is offered free of charge and promises to be a fun event to attend.
CCSSC has a program of “Songs of Love and Faith” scheduled for 5 pm Tuesday, Nov. 3, with various artists performing a variety of music. The event begins with a wine and cheese reception followed by the concert lasting about 45 minutes. Tickets are required. For more information visit www.ccssc.org/events/
Spend more time looking at the night sky instead of your phone.
Meteors can flash across the sky anytime, day or night, and they are spotted quite often. Particularly bright meteors are often referred to as fireballs.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, a fireball was reported by 10 people across Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. It was seen as far north as Kokomo, IN, as far east as Knilley, KY, as far south as Nashville, TN, and as far west as Hopkinsville, TN. One skywatcher reported, “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
Anyone seeing a fireball is urged to report the sighting to https://amsmeteors.org
Going outside and looking at the night sky can be fun and educational for the entire family. There are a number of free apps available to help identify stars and constellations, and some of the apps show satellites.
Happy skywatching!
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