The annual Perseid meteor shower, a dazzling display of fast, bright meteors, is set to peak for observers on the nights of August 12 and 13. While a bright waning gibbous moon will wash out some of the show, skywatchers are still in for a treat, with dozens of meteors expected to streak across the sky each hour.
The Perseids are one of the most reliable and prolific meteor showers of the year, occurring when Earth travels through the debris trail of Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Every August, these tiny particles of rock and ice burn up in our atmosphere, creating the streaks of light we see as meteors. This year’s peak activity is predicted to start late on Tuesday, August 12, and continue into the predawn hours of Wednesday, August 13.
Stargazers can expect to see anywhere from 10 to 50 meteors per hour during the peak. This is a significant drop from the 100 per hour that might be visible under ideal, moonless conditions, but still a spectacle worth seeing. The moon, which will be nearly 85% full, is the main culprit for the reduced visibility.
Where can I see the Perseid meteor shower?
While looking for a meteor shower, we must first locate the radiant point. A radiant point is a point in the sky from which meteors seem to originate. Every meteor shower has its own radiant point. The meteor showers are typically named after the constellation in which their radiant point is located.
The radiant of the Perseids is located in the constellation Perseus, near Cassiopeia. The Perseids will be best visible from the northern hemisphere.
The parent body of the Perseid meteor shower
The Perseids are one of the most anticipated meteor showers of the year. Unlike the famous Geminids that originate from an asteroid, the Perseids originate from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.
The comet was discovered by two astronomers, Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle, in 1862. The letter ‘P’ suggests that the comet is periodic. Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle orbits the sun every 136 years. A Perseid meteor shower occurs when the Earth passes through the debris trail left by this comet.
Tips to make the most out of the Perseids
- Mark the peak date on your calendars, as the meteors will be best visible on the peak date.
- Select a location with dark skies away from city lights, as light pollution will make it harder to spot the meteors.
- Use a weather app to see if the weather will be clear, as clouds can ruin your observation plans.
- Choose an appropriate stargazing software or a sky map to locate the radiant point.
- Use a red flashlight, as the blue lights will harm your eyes and make it harder for you to spot the meteors.
- Let your eyes adjust to the dark skies for a few minutes.
- Carry a mat, a water bottle, and some snacks to make the observations comfortable.
- If you wish to capture the night sky, use a DSLR camera with manual settings and refer to the astrophotography guide.
- Last but not least, take your friends and family with you to have fun at this bright and colorful meteor show.
For those interested in capturing the event, astrophotographers can use a DSLR camera with manual settings to take long exposures, which will help capture the light trails of the meteors. But for most, the best way to enjoy the show is simply to sit back, relax, and watch the sky.
For more information on meteor showers and celestial events, you can visit NASA’s official Perseid meteor shower page or check out a local astronomy club’s website.
