Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz


Because the earth will be passing through the dust released by Halley's Comet, people in Peru and in many other countries will be able to enjoy a meteor shower at its peak.

María Luisa Aguilar, an astronomer at the University of San Marcos has assured that people across Peru will be able to enjoy the Eta Aquarid meteor shower best if they observe it from places where there is not much artificial light.

She stated that an area away from the city would be best.

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which peaks in 2008 on Monday May 5 and Tuesday May 6, is the first of two showers that occur each year as bits of Halley's Comet streak into the Earth's atmosphere.

María Luisa Aguilar explained that it would be best to view the meteor shower while lying flat on the ground.

"You'll see it better because your face will be directly facing the sky," said the astronomer.

The strength of the Eta Aquarid display varies from year to year but it is believed that this year's meteor shower will be especially good because viewers in the southern hemisphere will be able to see 60 to 70 meteors per hour.

It has also been reported that 2008 is a good year to view the meteor shower because of the new Moon, which means lunar glare will not be a factor.