Satgen 640 Perseid Meteors 2001 by GM4IHJ (BID SGEN640) 2001-06-30 It is 135 years since Giovanni Schiaparelli pointed out that the annual August meteor shower originating from a radiant in the constellation of Perseus, travels along almost the same orbit path as Comet Swift-Tuttle. A comet with an orbital period of 130 years , which came in past the Sun at perihelion in 1862 and 1992. Despite Schiaparellis astute observation, it was not until the 1980s and the advent of IRAS the infra red satellite, that meteor watchers began to talk of meteors as the products of comets. Noting that IRAS produced evidence of several dust trails each more than a million miles long, which matched comet orbit paths, and produced meteor showers when ever the earth in its orbit around the Sun crossed a track on its way in to perhelion closest approach to the Sun , and again at a later date in the year after perhelion, as it again crossed the earths orbit plane on its way outwards back into deep space . Since the 1980s, meteor shower observers have been aware that showers tend to be at their strongest in years when the parent comet is near the earth. So it was no surprise when, after poor Perseids performance in the 1980s, things improved in the 1990s. With 1994 and 1998 producing sharp activity peaks. Peaks which were 6 or 7 hours prior to the anticipated regular small peak experienced in the 1980s. However the 1999 and 2000 peaks have not been all that strong. So the forecast for Perseids 2001 is uncertain. The old traditional peak would be expected at about 1400 utc on the 12th of August 2001. Whereas a repeat of the sharp peaks might occur somewhere around 0900 utc on the 12th . But which ever time is correct. They both occur in daylight for Europeans. Visual observers restricted to viewing in the short northern summer night may well miss both potential peaks. None the less, there is off peak activity during the Perseids . Though it may be spasmodic . Often with long periods of almost no activity. At its last recovery Comet Swift-Tuttle was several years late coming to perhelion. In fact it appears that the Swift-Tuttle orbit data was inferior to that of an earlier comet, Comet Kegler, and it is now recognised that Kegler is Swift-Tuttle. Orbit data for Kegler provides a better fit for the Perseid shower progenitor. Though most literature still quotes the name as Swift-Tuttle. Which now that professional observers have accepted that Swift-Tuttle was several years later that expected at its late 20th century return , at least confirms we can predict its future movements with a little more precision than previously, whatever name we give it. So please have a look out on clear nights either side of August 12th. You should see something even if the peaks occur during daylight and go unobserved visually. They will not go unobserved by radio meteor counters, who need neither clear skies or darkness. Stations above latitude 35N should have the radient well above their horizon all day and night. However, for the youngsters hoping to survive into the 22nd century, care is necessary. The comets return August 14th 2126AD is scheduled to pass very near to the earth itself. So book your holiday on Mars for that week.