Sky enthusiasts gathered at Atatürk University to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower, which is considered one of the most impressive natural events of the year.

A sky observation event was held by the Department of Astronomy and Space Sciences and the Astrophysics Club (ATAK) for university students and the public on August 12, 2023, at the ATA50 campus on the campus. At the beginning of the event, the participants were made to observe Saturn and Jupiter with telescopes, and then the Perseid Meteor Shower, which occurs once a year, was observed. The Perseid Meteor Shower, which consists of the remnants of the Comet Swift-Tuttle, is called the Perseid Meteor Shower because it is observed in the Perseus Constellation region. In the natural phenomenon that can be observed with the naked eye, approximately 60 to 100 meteors were seen per hour.

Pointing out that the Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the most intense and impressive natural light shows observed in the northern sphere, Research Assistant from Atatürk University Faculty of Science, Department of Astronomy and Space Sciences, research assist. Hüseyin Er said that the sky observation event organized to observe such an important event in the best way was exciting.

“Perseid Meteor Shower Completes Its Tour Around the Sun in 133 Years”

Stating that the event held at Atatürk University was a nice meeting for local people, students and sky lovers, Er added: "Our event was very enjoyable. Some of the sky lovers who attended our festival to watch the visual feast, some with phones in their hands, and some with telescopes, watched the meteor, popularly known as 'shooting stars'. Tehy watched the Perseid Meteor Shower, which is described as the most magnificent of all rains."

"Meteor Shower occurs as a result of many large and small pieces of rock and dust separated from Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, whose nucleus has a diameter of 26 kilometers, entering the atmosphere under the gravitational effect of the earth. Comet Swift-Tuttle completes its orbit around the sun in 133 years. The meteors, which start on July 14 and can be observed until September 1, have their origin in the sky in the Perse (Hero) Constellation region. We were happy to have the chance to observe such an impressive natural event and to witness this moment with our people and students," he finished his remarks.

“The Sky Opens New Horizons for Humans”

Yasin Karaca, a student of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Atatürk University and President of the Astrophysics Club (ATAK), stated that they were happy with the interest in the event and added: "We will come together in our area on our campus in Erzurum and watch the Persied Meteor Shower and see Saturn and Jupiter with the existing telescopes. We offered the opportunity to observe. We hold similar events from time to time. The sky opens new horizons for people, and I would like to thank all the sky enthusiasts who participated in our festival today, including young people and adults."

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE – 14.08.2023