[Surnetkids] Meteor Showers

Dear Reader,

Today’s topic is in honor of Meteor Watch Day, June 30th, and the next Perseids meteor shower which will be August 12th.

See ya on the Net,
Barbara J. Feldman
“Surfing the Net with Kids”
https://www.surfnetkids.com

Meteor Showers
https://www.surfnetkids.com/resources/meteor-showers/

Meteor Showers Printable(** for Premium Members only)
https://www.surfnetkids.com/printables/files/printables-club/meteor-showers.pdf

Meteor showers are cyclical, predictable events because they are formed from the icy rock debris shed by comets as they pass the Sun. The following sites explain why they happen, when they occur, and offer tips on how to best view them.

American Meteor Society: Meteor Shower Basics

“From earliest times, humankind has noticed flurries of meteors that seemed to emanate from points in the sky at particular times of the year. These flurries, now called meteor showers, are produced by small fragments of cosmic debris entering the earth’s atmosphere at extremely high speed.” Visit the AMS site for Meteor FAQs, Photos, Videos, a Meteor Shower Calendar, and this introductory article.

EarthSky: Meteor Shower Guide

Scroll through EarthSky’s meteor calendar, from the Quadrantids (in January) to December’s Gemids, to get the low-down on what’s showing in a sky near you. There are also pointers on what to bring with you, and finding a dark sky. “Although astronomers have tried to publish exact predictions in recent years, meteor showers remain notoriously unpredictable. Your best bet is to go outside at the times we suggest, and plan to spend at least an hour, if not a whole night, reclining comfortably while looking up at the sky.”

Meteor Showers Online

In recognition of his extensive comet research, Gary Kronk has been honored by the International Astronomical Union with a minor planet named after him. His Meteor Showers Online site covers all the basics, with sections on How to Watch Meteors and a Meteor Shower Calendar. “The beauty of observing meteors is that it is the one branch of astronomy that requires virtually no equipment, or at least no expensive optical equipment. The optical equipment you will use are your eyes and the only other equipment you really need is a reclining chair.”

… Click to continue to Meteor Showers

Printables Club Members Also Get …

Surfnetkids Printables Club Members also get the following printables to use in the classroom, the computer lab, the school library, or to send home with students:

Meteor Showers Printable
Meteor Showers Wikipedia Printable
Stargazing Printable
Hubble Space Telescope Printable
*** Are you curious? Get your own ten-day trial membership:
https://www.surfnetkids.com/printables/join/

Related Games

Meteor Showers Word Search
Asteroid Word Search
Meteor Bomber

Quote of the Week

“Women hold up half the sky.” ~~ Mao Tse-Tung ~~ (26 December 1893 – 9 September 1976) a Chinese revolutionary, political theorist and Communist leader. Click this link to read more Mao Tse-Tung quotes.

Surfing the Calendar