Perseids Meteor Shower Quiz

What is the peak time for viewing the Perseids meteor shower?

• Early January

• Late September

• Early June

• Mid-August

Who were the astronomers that independently discovered the comet Swift-Tuttle?

• Louis Swift and Horace Tuttle

• Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson

• Edmond Halley and Isaac Newton

• Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler

What happens to a comet as it approaches the Sun?

• It slows down and freezes

• It accelerates and forms a tail

• It changes its orbit to avoid the Sun

• It disintegrates completely

What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite?

• A meteor is in space, a meteorite is in the ocean

• A meteor is a star, a meteorite is a planet

• A meteor is in space, a meteorite is in the atmosphere

• A meteor burns up in the atmosphere, a meteorite hits the ground

What is the radiant point in a meteor shower?

• The point where meteors disappear

• The point where meteors change direction

• The point where meteors originate

• The point where meteors slow down

Which constellation is associated with the Perseids meteor shower?

• Cassiopeia

• Taurus

• Perseus

• Orion

What star cluster is used as a marker to find the Perseus constellation?

• The Southern Cross

• The Pleiades

• The Big Dipper

• Orion's Belt

When is the best time to view the Perseids meteor shower?

• Noon

• Early evening

• Midnight

• Early morning

What weather condition is ideal for viewing meteor showers?

• Foggy conditions

• Cloudy skies

• Clear skies

• Rainy weather

What is a key factor in successfully observing the Perseids meteor shower?

• Observing from a city center

• Finding a dark sky location

• Using a telescope

• Watching during a full moon