Today we are in Haines, Alaska. It’s my first time here and we will be visiting the Bald Eagle Sanctuary. Later today I have my second lecture, A journey to the Solar System.
Author: John Maclean
Icy Strait Point – Alaska
Today we are in Icy Strait Point, Alaska. Our tour today is a cable car ride up the mountain and a Tlingit cultural show. The weather is still a bit grim but we are hardy souls! We have been here four times before and Hoonah, the local town, is a great place to see Bald Eagles. More images to follow.
Alaska Wildlife
I am currently on Viking Orion and this morning we docked at Ketchikan, Alaska. On the way in to the port we were lucky enough to see some humpback whales and I was able to get a few quick photos. Feel free to download.
Perseids 2024 Latest
The meteor cameras at Exeter Observatory captured 359 Perseid meteors last night 12/13 August 2024.
Perseid Meteor Shower 2024
One of the best meteor showers of the year is set to peak between the nights of August 11th to the 13th in 2024. This meteor shower originates from the dust tail of the comet Swift-Tuttle that the Earth passes through each year. The best time to see these meteors is after dark with the ideal time being after midnight and before sunrise although, you will be able to spot Perseids any time after dark. They are named “The Perseids” because they seem to radiate from the constellation Perseus and if you are very lucky, you may see up to 100 meteors per hour though this is under ideal conditions. Travelling at around 36 miles per second. the meteors are usually only the size of a grain of sand and as the burn up in our atmosphere they creat the streaks of light we see as meteors.
HOW TO SEE THEM
Find the darkest spot you can and make yourself comfortable, spotting meteors takes patience! You can use a sunbed or a garden chair and maybe even take a flask of tea or coffee and a blanket and once you are set up just scan the skies with your eyes. You don’t need to look towards the radiant which is in the Perseus constellation as the further away from the radiant, the longer the meteor trails appear. Use the graphic below to help you and get outside.
Clear Skies and Keep looking up!
Next Voyage
I am back on my travels in August when I join Viking Orion as Resident Astronomer for the Alaska and the Inside Passage cruise. During my time on board I will be giving lectures in the Star Theatre, hosting Q&A sessions and holding “stargazing” nights on deck 9. I may even appear at the “Dancing under the stars” night at the pool! Hope to see you there!
