Peek at the Perseids

Wednesday, 19 August 2026 at 19:20

Rose and Crown, 140 Tooting Bec Road, SW17 8BH

Probably the best known meteors, or shooting stars, are the Perseids. Named after the constellation Perseus - where the point they radiate from in the sky is. Come try and spot some with us, date to be confirmed once weather more certain. Sunset from \~8:14pm, so we congregate at the meet point pub or outside it around that time until its dark enough (\~ 8:45-9pm). By the time we're heading to a darker spot on the common it's about dark enough to spot a few stars - and as the evening draws on, hopefully meteors. Expect to spot low double digit numbers for a full session at the best, but it's very random. The comet Swift-Tuttle and its shed debris is believed to be responsible for this meteor shower. If we're lucky we might even see a fireball (a particularly big and bright one, sometimes with different colours, trails). Schedule: \* We'll meet outside the Rose and Crown pub - on a table, if we can. \* If you're reasonably on time there might be time for a quick drink, but we'll hang around for a crowd of us to gather before heading out, talk space/astronomy stuff and just be social. \* When we're ready (maybe \~9pm or a little later) we head out to Tooting common, across the road. We'll either aim for diagonally opposite the pub, or (better) near the cricket pitch off of Dr. Johnson Avenue if we're all ready to walk \~10-15mins. There's a car park at the south (Tooting) end of the avenue. \* The Perseids rise around 9:15 (in the North-East). It will be dark enough for stars from shortly after then (but the later the better, in fact if you want to stay up at home after we finish or any other day this weekend after midnight you might see more). \* Watching for meteors until we get too cold/tired/its too late/we feel done enough. Don't forget to check your route home and last tube/train/bus times as appropriate! Late? If you might arrive later, either watch for updates in comments here, take your chances finding us on the common, or else make sure you have my phone no. (see "how to find us" location details). Be patient if you comment/telephone, sending an SMS as backup can help instead of leaving a voice message/as well as a Meetup comment (others might also spot event comments and help out). Bring: No optical equipment needed! But plan for: • an extra clothing layer (all experienced stargazers will strongly recommend this, even on really warm days; standing/lying on wide open ground for longer periods, you will notice any breeze/cooler air more than usual) • optionally, a reclining chair(s)/blankets(preferably slightly waterproof) to lie on and save your neck. • Eyes - the best tools to see meteors with. Only bring telescopes/binoculars if you want to look at other things or get practice but you won't see shooting stars through them (unless very lucky, even then just as a flash); you'll end up missing more while looking through them. • maybe a (ideally red) torch - but try not to blind us with that or your phone's screen. Night vision adjustment takes several minutes but is instantly ruined for all around you by a bright white light • cameras if you like (for astrophotography attempts to catch meteors, relies on luck and you really need to be able to leave it taking repeated shots automatically for a long period, a remote-release with lock and a tripod can help) • optionally planispheres or reference books or smartphones with sky map apps for looking at other objects - again, please try to avoid blinding us/yourself and ruining our built-up night-vision with bright screen lights. Bring an extra (thin?) layer if you want to stay very late, it will get much cooler even given the current heat - especially lying down and not moving much in a wide open space. Many beginners learn this quickly after they realise it's colder than they thought (better to be prepared than have a miserable time)! I say it twice 'cos it's the most regretted missed choice by newcomers on anything less than a 30°+ C day. Meteor spotting is best either lying on the ground (or picnic rugs/mats), or maybe on a seat (e.g. lawnchair) if you bring one - a reclining back and neck support is better. Feel free to moon-watch/bring 'scopes to see other things, or cameras with long-exposure capability, though the focus will be on meteors (shooting stars) which telescopes aren't useful for. The moon is in first quarter so only a little bright. Tips: Absolutely no prior experience required at all to see them, we'll help you identify the difference between meteors and satellites/planes. This meteor shower is so active that you can see them almost anywhere in the sky (and until sunrise too, if you're a very early riser), so look for the clearest area of sky - not necessarily just to the North East.

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