All eyes are on the sky today as the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak, while a total solar eclipse is also taking place, which will be visible in countries on the European mainland, but not in Cyprus.
The “Perseids” are considered one of the most beautiful meteor showers, especially on August 12, as there will be no moon in the sky, the President of the Cyprus Astronomical Society, astrophysicist Chrysanthos Fakas, told CNA.
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PHOTO: Crowds flock to Troodos for the Perseids
As he explained, they were once thought to be stars falling from the constellation “Perseus,” which is why they were named “Perseids,” however, “scientifically, we now know that they are actually numerous small pebbles left in its wake by Comet Swift-Tuttle.”
As Earth passes through this orbit—"we could call it a dirt road," he continued, and its gravity begins to pull in these cometary remnants; due to its dense atmosphere, it begins to vaporize them in the sky.
The “Perseids,” she added, reach very high speeds of 50–60 kilometers per second and begin to vaporize due to friction with the atmosphere, “creating this beautiful flame.”
Mr. Fakas explained that “if a shooting star is bright enough and manages to reach the Earth’s surface, it is called a meteorite, whereas if it completely vaporizes in the sky, it is called a meteor.”
“In other words, their origin is the same, but they are classified differently depending on their fate,” he added.
Those who choose to participate in one of the various stargazing events being organized today in mountainous areas are expected to enjoy the peak of the phenomenon, where sky surveys will be conducted and telescopes will be available for stargazing.
In Kyperounta, at 9:00 p.m., the Cyprus Astronomical Society, the Cyprus Space Exploration Organization, and the Faka Tutorial Observatory, in collaboration with the Community Council, are organizing an astronomy night in the courtyard of the Church of Saint Arsenios.
Two events are being held at the Amiantos Astro Park: the first by the AstroVerce Astronomy Club, in collaboration with the Cyprus Planetarium (7:00 p.m.), and the second by the Nightsky Explorers Club (8:00 p.m.). An astronomy night is also being held at the Cyprus Planetarium, though registration is already full.
The Troodos Observatory in Agridia will offer free stargazing, with optional activities, at 8:00 p.m., while the Kampos Community Council is organizing an astronomy night (9:00 p.m.) at the Kampos Astro Park, as is the Anglisides Olive Museum (9:00 p.m.). For astrophotography enthusiasts, the Larnaca Photography Club is organizing a photography outing at the Prodromos Dam at 9:30 p.m.
The Kiti Planetarium and Observatory is also organizing its traditional stargazing event on the beach tomorrow, Thursday, August 13, the last day the Perseid meteor shower will be at its peak. The event will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Softaades Beach in Larnaca.
In any case, the organizers recommend that attendees bring warm clothing, avoid lighting fires, and respect the venue, and not to leave any trash behind.
As for the total solar eclipse, which will not be visible from Cyprus, it is expected to be particularly spectacular in other parts of the world, according to the President of the Cyprus Astronomical Society, as “the moon will pass in front of the sun’s disk, and suddenly, even though it’s daytime, there will be complete darkness.”
“At the same time, the temperature will drop as if night had suddenly fallen for a period of more than two minutes—a breathtaking event that one must experience to truly appreciate,” added Mr. Fakas.
The total eclipse will begin in the sparsely populated tundra of northern Russia, around 7:08 p.m. Cyprus time, and will subsequently be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northeastern Portugal, while in most of the rest of Europe the sun will be partially obscured. It should be noted that the last time Europe witnessed such a phenomenon was in 2006.
Experts remind the public that before and after totality, anyone observing the sun must use special eye protection to view the partial phases of the eclipse.
While the total solar eclipse will offer a spectacular sight, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) has taken precautionary measures to address a potential temporary reduction in electricity generation from photovoltaic systems.
As stated on its website, photovoltaic power generation could drop by up to 9.7 GW across Europe, causing a rapid but predictable shift in generation.
However, it assures that “thanks to established coordination mechanisms and timely preparation, ENTSO-E and Europe’s Transmission System Operators are ready to ensure the safe and stable operation of the power system throughout the duration of the event.”
Source: KYPE
