The most magnificent of the meteor showers that occur 8 times a year, the Perseid meteor shower, will reach its peak period on August 12-13. It is estimated that the meteors will enter the Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of 59 kilometers per second due to the meteor shower, which is stated to be seen at 60 to 100 per hour. The meteor shower, which many people are eagerly waiting for, has also created a meteor watching market. While a giant camping area was opened in Bursa Karacabey, one of the places where it was announced that the unique natural event will be best watched, special tours were organized to the Longoz Forests, another viewing location. The price of tours to be made in Antalya is an average of 2 thousand TL, and the price includes a trip to Saklıkent Ski Center, Doyran Pond and tea treats.
CAN BE WATCHED FROM SARIYER
Sarıyer is one of the places where the meteor shower will be most clearly seen in Istanbul. In the coastal neighborhood of Kilyos, activities such as tent accommodation, telescope observation, mythology narration, phosphorescent bracelets, unlimited tea during the event, and live music by the fire will be organized. The event will be free for children aged 0-4; children and young people aged 4-14 will be charged 1,000 TL, and citizens aged 14 and over will be charged 1,500 TL.
IT WILL START AT MIDNIGHT
On the other hand, in the 2024 Celestial Events Yearbook prepared by the TÜBİTAK National Observatory (TUG), it was announced that the most intense observable date of the ‘Perseid Meteor Shower’, which will take place between July 14 and September 1, will be the night of August 12-13. It will also be possible to see meteors called “fireballs” during the Perseid shower. To observe the Perseids, it will be sufficient to focus on the sky between 00:00 and 04:00 Turkish time, in an area away from artificial lights.
NOT SEEN WITH A TELESCOPE
Experts, however, point out that meteor showers are faint, very short-lived celestial events that occur over a very wide space angle, and therefore cannot be seen well from city centers that are exposed to intense light pollution. While it is emphasized that meteor showers are natural events that occur quickly and randomly, it is also emphasized that it is not possible to observe them with binoculars or a telescope during a meteor shower.
FISHEYE LENS
Experts also point out that the best place to watch the meteor shower is in open areas away from light pollution, and share the information that a fisheye lens should be preferred for this celestial event, which can be seen with the naked eye in such places.
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