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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 3096      2015 Aug 10 18.46UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074
INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK      Backup: gmh@wdcc1.bnsc.rl.ac.uk
WORLD WIDE WEB                         http://www.theastronomer.org
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PERSEIDS
As a reminder of the forthcoming meteor shower attention is drawn to notes
my Tony Markham which appear on the TA Website under 'Meteor Activity':

Despite not producing peak rates as high as those of the Geminids, the
Perseid meteor shower remains the favourite for most observers. This is
because, in addition to being rich in bright and trained meteors, it also
occurs during summer in the northern hemisphere as opposed to the cold
nights of December for the Geminids. 

Perseid activity can be seen from the last ten days of July through to the
third week of August. The highest observed rates on any given night are
likely to be seen when the radiant is highest in the sky late in the night.
In some years, when the Earth encounters dust trails from old returns of the
parent comet, there can be more than one Perseid peak. However, there are no
predictions for additional Perseid peaks in 2015.

For UK based observers, the best observed rates are likely to be seen late
in the night of Aug 12-13 (Wed-Thu), although good rates should also be seen
during Aug 11-12 and to a lesser extent during Aug 13-14.
With Full Moon in 2015 occurring on July 31 and Last Quarter occurring on
Aug 7, observations of the early Perseids in late July and in the first week
of August will be hindered by moonlight. However, by the night of Perseid
maximum, the Moon will be a thin crescent, not rising until the morning
twilight. Hence moonlight will not be an issue during any of the three
nights listed above.

Guy M Hurst