Between August and September, the sky lights up with the meteor shower, known as Epsilon Perseids or Tears of Saint Lawrence. This celestial display, although not widely known, captivates those who observe it due to its magnificence. Every year more enthusiasts flock to marvel at this light show. At Depor, we offer you the essential details about this amazing astronomical event.
The Perseids are also known in countries with a Catholic tradition under the name of tears of saint lawrence because on August 10 his saints are celebrated. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the Perseids took place on the night he was remembered, in such a way that they were associated with the tears that Saint Lawrence shed when being burned on a grill.
The oldest record of the activity of the Perseids is from the year 36 AD. C., from the Chinese historical annals where a meteor peak on those dates is cited. But it was not until 1835 when the Belgian astronomer Adolphe Quetelet shows that a meteor shower occurs cyclically in August, with its radiant in Perseus.
What are the Perseids?
Although we perceive them as shooting stars, they are dust particles about the size of a grain of sand left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle in its orbit around the sun. The luminous effect is produced when these granites cross the earth’s atmosphere, attracted to our planet, and volatilize. They do it at about 210,000 kilometers per hour.
Its period of activity is long and extends between July 16 and August 24. Its maximum is between August 11 and 13 with a zenithal hourly rate (THZ) 100, which makes it the third most intense rain of the year (after the Quadrantids and the Geminids), although the Perseids are the most popular due to be visible from the northern hemisphere during the summer.
What time to see the Meteor Shower in Mexico?
In Mexico, the country where it can be seen, the rush hour will be from 11:20 pm on Saturday, August 12, until 5:15 am on Sunday, August 13. However, for the rest of the countries, the start time where it can already be seen quite well is from 10:44 p.m.
Recommendations for a good appreciation
One of the recommendations to see this phenomenon is to get a clear landscape, which is away from buildings and electricity poles. In addition, it is appropriate to mention that you will not need a telescope to see the Meteor Shower, since it is enough to have a good view of the sky.