From the Island of Volcanoes and during this weekend you can enjoy one of the most impressive astronomical events of the summer: the Perseids 2023. This meteor shower can be seen during this weekend in the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth. In particular, the skies of the Canary Islands are a privileged place to enjoy these shooting stars. However, a strong episode of haze is expected during the weekend, will it affect its visibility?
The State Meteorological Agency has established a yellow warning for the presence of suspended dust, mainly at altitude, from this Friday until next Monday. Although the meteor shower can be enjoyed in the days before and after, the culmination of Las Lágrimas de San Lorenzo, the day of greatest activity, will take place during the night of this Saturday, August 12: "It is sure to be a spectacle," astronomer Gustavo Muler tells La Voz. That night, that is, during the early hours of Saturday to Sunday, up to 100 meteors per hour can be seen.
For this expert, collaborator of NASA and businessman of Astronomía Lanzarote, this situation generates two realities at the same time: "Unfortunately with this heat wave has come a little haze, which will prevent us from seeing the weaker Perseids, but that will help us to be outside more comfortably with the ideal temperature."
For that reason, we reveal some tricks so you can fully enjoy this special day. The forecasts indicate that the haze may cloud the sky, but it is expected to recede from this Saturday.
This phenomenon always takes place when the earth crosses in its orbit the wake left by the comet 8P Swift tuttle as it passes through the path of our planet. This is explained by Gustavo Muler, collaborator of the Minor Planet Center (MPCJ).
To face this special night, Gustavo Muler advises to "take a mat and lie face up in the darkest place you can find." In addition, he anticipates that the weather forecasts indicate that there will be clear skies during this weekend.
To be able to see the greatest number of stars possible it is advisable to look for the constellation Perseus, the epicenter of the fleeting meteors that can be enjoyed from now on. This set of stars is located between Cassiopeia and Andromeda.
In addition, he offers to play a game "set the clock and look at the time to count how many are seen in one night." Thus, the sky can also be divided by groups of people and count how many meteors are seen. He also invites those who have photographic equipment to play with long exposure video and photography techniques with which spectacular shots can be obtained.