Falling stars are … size pollen grains of sand – rmf24.pl

Shooting stars are actually particles ejected by the comet dust, no larger than grains of sand. Falling into the Earth’s atmosphere are burnt, leaving a fast, effective track – explains astronomy popularizer of Charles Wojcicki.

Shooting Star

/ DPA / C. Bodle / Chromorang / PAP

This is what seems to us a shooting star, in fact, is just a speck of dust, often no larger than a grain of sand. It falls into the Earth’s atmosphere and friction for it warms up, is burned and the trail of such a process we see in the sky as a short, quick flash – Wojcicki said the planetarium sky Copernicus – Copernicus Science Centre (CSC) in Warsaw.

Falling stars are called meteors professionally. The most – from 80 to 100 per hour – they can be seen at night from 12 to 13 August. The sky occurs most popular meteor shower called Perseidami.

first Perseid meteors with theoretically can be observed from about July 15. Then the Earth is slowly starting to come into a stream of particles left behind long ago by one of the comets. It was a comet, throwing himself a huge amount of gas and particles, forming a beautiful braid, are the source of meteors. Earth sometimes breaks through the space left in the queue, and its particles invade Earth’s atmosphere. Then we can see in the sky a much larger number of shooting stars, or meteors just – described by Charles Wojcicki.

Meteora, which in August appear in the sky, owe their name gwiazdozbiorowi Perseus. This constellation, which in Polish can watch through the night over the eastern horizon. It is from the direction of the constellation “fly” appearing in the sky Perseids.

looking for shooting stars, but do not look in that direction. Meteors will appear to him to several tens of degrees to the left, right and up. The best solution is to just lie down on a blanket or a lounger and gaze cover the greatest area of ​​the sky. When we show patience, that after some time the shooting star we can see – Wojcicki noted.

He admitted,

however, that this year the conditions for the observation will be somewhat difficult. will have just two days after the full moon, so it will shine brightly enough and interfere with the observations. Additionally, radiant swarm, ie the point from which the meteors fly in the sky, it is relatively low on the horizon. Some of them disappear us for trees and houses – underlined Wojcicki.

Although the meteors best observed from suburban areas are urban dwellers also do not have to sacrifice. meteor activity in cities is then not so evident, because they disappear in the glow of the city, but the brightest, most attractive, they are certainly visible. You can go to the park, sit in the square and the square, go up on the roof or balcony and patiently staring at the sky – described Wojcicki.

To follow do not need any optical instruments, telescopes, binoculars. Just own eyes. This is the least demanding of all astronomical observations, and can provide many impressions – added the caller.

The biggest in Poland joint observations of shooting stars in 2013 organized the Copernicus Science Centre. In belonging to the CSC Discovery Park wypatrywało are over 3.5 thousand. Warsaw. This year, on the night of 12 to 13 August in the Discovery Park will once again be time to wait for a meteor shower.

Many times during the trip such a meteor were heard cheers, shouts of delight. People react very spontaneously and emotionally. It is this same experience. After hours. 21 provide the best conditions, which are only possible in the capital: the light extinguish the Copernicus Science Centre, surrounding us bridges. We will try to also fade the National Stadium. Locally will make it a little better is we looked at the stars, nothing we will not hurt your eyes. For hours. 1 at night you will see many shooting stars, so it is worth to prepare a long list of wishes – encouraged Wojcicki.

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