The Perseids, also known as the "Tears of Saint Lawrence," are a fascinating celestial spectacle that occurs every year in August. This is a meteor shower that lights up the night sky with brilliant, fleeting flashes. Thousands of people go to see this show during these August nights. There are many curiosities of the Perseids that you may not have known.
In this article we are going to tell you about the main curiosities of the Perseids so that you have an idea when it comes to going to see them.
What are they
These meteors are actually small particles of dust and rock that were left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle along its orbit around the Sun. When Earth passes through this cloud of particles, some of them enter our atmosphere at high speed and burn up due to friction with air. It is this burning process that creates the spectacular light trails in the sky, which we popularly call "shooting stars."
The peak of activity of the Perseids usually occurs in mid-August, usually around the 11th to the 13th of that month. At that time, the number of visible meteors per hour can be staggering, reaching tens or even more in places with dark, clear skies. However, the Perseids are visible for several weeks before and after their peak, so you have a good chance of seeing them even if you can't see them at their highest point.
To enjoy this celestial spectacle, it is best to get away from the city lights and find a place with a dark and clear sky. No special equipment is needed; just lie back and look up at the sky. Although the Perseids are the most famous event of its kind, several meteor showers actually occur throughout the year, each associated with a different comet.
Curiosities of the Perseids
Why are they called "Tears of Saint Lawrence"?
In Spain, this meteor shower is also known as the Tears of San Lorenzo. The explanation is simple: August 10 is the Fiesta de San Lorenzo, which coincides with the best day to observe this celestial phenomenon. But why talk about her tears?
San Lorenzo was burned alive on August 10, 258 and, as the story goes, he did not scream or try to escape. His tears were the only sign of pain, that's how we saw them in the sky on those summer nights. Other stories claim that the meteor represents the spark from the bonfire where he was martyred.
Who was Perseus?
They are called Perseids because they seem to come from the constellation of Perseus. But do you know who this hero from Greek mythology is?
Perseus was the son of the god Zeus and the mortal Danae. Among his many feats, he is famous for killing Medusa, a gorgon with special powers: all people, animals or objects that they look into her eyes they turn to stone. This myth appears many times in art. For example, in the Prado we have a white marble sculpture "Medusa" by an anonymous author. We also discovered that this story can be used as inspiration for different paintings.
Another of his most remembered stories is the one that stars him together with Andromeda, who is chained to some rocks by the sea. Poseidon sent Ceto, an aquatic monster, to kill her, but Perseus managed to defeat him by petrifying him with Medusa's head. In this way, he saved the young woman who would later marry him.
How big is the meteor shower?
The Perseid Meteor Shower looks like a giant fireball streaking across the sky, but it's not. The particles that cause the meteor shower are the size of a grain of rice. The phenomena we observe are due to the speed at which they enter the Earth's atmosphere at more than 200.000 km/h. In a rough calculation, the speed is about 60 kilometers per second. As they pass through the atmosphere, they disintegrate and the flash we've been eagerly waiting for appears.
It's dangerous ?
Technically, meteor showers should be called meteor showers because what we see are not actual stars. To answer this question, it must be taken into account that some meteors are capable of passing through the atmosphere and reaching the Earth's surface (becoming meteorites) without complete decomposition. However, in the case of the Perseids, the meteors that cause them disintegrate at a height of about 100 km, and as we said before, they are not very large, so it is difficult for them to survive in our protective layer.
Other curiosities of the minor Perseids
Although the curiosities of the most important perseids have already been told, we are going to see some of the less important curiosities:
- Activity throughout the month: Although the peak of activity is the time when the most meteors per hour are observed, the Perseids can be visible for about a month, from mid-July to late August. As we get closer to the peak, the number of meteors gradually increases.
- Events to watch as a group: The Perseids are a great excuse to get together with friends, family, or even strangers who share an interest in astronomy. Many observatories, astronomy clubs, and nature parks organize special events to view the Perseids. It is a unique opportunity to enjoy the show and learn more about the starry sky.
- Tales and legends: Throughout history, meteor showers like the Perseids have inspired a variety of tales and legends in different cultures. From mythical interpretations to harbingers of events, these celestial wonders have left their mark on the human imagination.
- possibility of cars: Although most Perseid meteors are small and burn up completely in the atmosphere, occasionally a bolide can occur, which is an especially bright and spectacular meteor. These events are quite exciting to witness and can leave a lasting impression.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about some of the best curiosities of the Perseids.