The meteor shower of this August will be accompanied by a bright moon which might make observing the unique show a bit difficult.
Peak of the show
The Perseid meteor shower is on its way for this year, right on schedule, and it will peak between August 11 – 13, prime time being Monday night and Tuesday morning.
What are the Perseids?
Perseids are debris particles caused by the comet Swift – Tuttle, igniting in Earth’s atmosphere and looking a lot like falling stars. The name “Perseids” was given to those particles because they seem to come from the direction of the Perseus constellation.
Timestamps
Usually, the Perseids are visible starting mid July and remain active for the most part of August. The American Meteor Society states: “Normal rates seen from rural locations range from 50-75 shower members per hour at maximum,”
Bad timing
This year, the moon will be close to full at the time of the shower’s peak, and its brightness will diminish the visibility of the meteors. Thankfully, NASA says that the Perseids are rich in bright meteors and fireballs, so seeing them is still most likely possible and enjoyable.
Best place to be at
The best views of the Perseids will be available for those in the Northern Hemisphere, the only catch being that seeing the meteor show requires people staying up late or getting up very early in the morning.
Prepare for the event
It’s recommended that people prepare for observing the unique and marvelous event, as it’s truly one of nature’s greatest shows. Even if you’re not in a place where visibility is great, keep an eye out for flaming space rocks!
