2024 August Perseid Meteor Shower Spectroscopy with StellarNet

The Perseid meteor shower and spectroscopy intersect in the study of meteors’ chemical composition and physical properties. When a meteor from the Perseid shower enters Earth’s atmosphere, it heats up and ionizes, creating a bright streak of light. Spectroscopy allows scientists to analyze the light emitted by these meteors to identify the elements and molecules present.

Here are some tips to make the most of the experience:

Date and Timing

Peak Night: The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak around the night of August 12 into the early morning of August 13, 2024.
Best Time: The best time to watch is typically after midnight, especially in the early hours before dawn when the sky is darkest and the meteors are most visible.

Location

Find a Dark Sky Location: The farther you are from city lights, the better your viewing experience will be.
High Elevation: If possible, find a location at a higher elevation for clearer skies.

Preparation

No Special Equipment Needed: The Perseid meteor shower is visible to the naked eye, so no telescope or binoculars are necessary.

Viewing Tips

Look Towards the Constellation Perseus: While meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, the shower radiates from the constellation Perseus, which rises in the northeast around midnight.

How Spectroscopy is Applied:

Meteor Trail Emission Spectroscopy: As the meteor heats up, the atoms and molecules in the meteor vaporize and emit light at specific wavelengths. By capturing this light using a spectrometer, scientists can produce an emission spectrum that reveals the specific elements present, such as sodium, magnesium, and iron.

The ionization of atmospheric gases and meteoric material creates glowing trails. Spectroscopy can analyze these trails, providing insights into the interaction between the meteor and the atmosphere.

Temperature and Speed Estimation: The intensity and wavelength of the emitted light can help estimate the temperature of the meteor as it burns up and its speed. The Doppler shift observed in the spectrum also gives clues about the meteor’s velocity relative to the observer.

Common Meteor Trail Colors and Their Causes:

Yellow/Orange:

Sodium: Sodium is commonly found in meteors and produces a bright yellow-orange color. This is one of the most visible colors in meteor trails.

Green:

Magnesium: Magnesium emits green light when it is ionized. Green trails are often seen in brighter meteors or fireballs.
Oxygen: Atmospheric oxygen can also emit green light when it is excited, contributing to the greenish tint in the trail, particularly in the upper atmosphere.

Red:

Nitrogen and Oxygen: These atmospheric gases can emit red light when excited, especially at higher altitudes. This red color is usually faint and may appear at the edges of the meteor trail or in the afterglow.
Calcium: Calcium can also produce a reddish color, though it is less common.

Blue/Purple:

Iron and Calcium: These elements can contribute to blue or violet colors in the trail. These colors are often seen in the ionization regions closer to the meteor head.

White:

Mixed Elements: A combination of elements, including magnesium, iron, and nickel, can produce a bright white trail. White trails are often associated with very bright meteors.