This year’s sky spectacle is expected to be especially dazzling since it coincides with the new moon, creating the ideal dark background for watching meteors zoom through the sky.
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The source of dust for the Perseid meteor shower is Comet Swift-Tuttle which was discovered in 1862 and left behind a trail of dust which the Earth now passes through every August.
“The material comes off the comet and forms a tail and stays in space”, Falkner said.
Peer into the northeast sky about 10 p.m. when the constellation Perseus is rising on the horizon.
The peak day will be Thursday and the best time will be in the predawn hours of the early morning.
If you want a better view, get your telescope out.
Find an area outside which has a wide view of the sky and away from bright lights to improve your chances of seeing more meteors.
The department says the spots that offer the best viewing are ones that are least obstructed by competing lights, such as city lights.
Though last year’s event was overshadowed by supermoon, this year’s Perseid meteor shower peaks just a day before the new moon. The meteors we see are those particles, most no larger than a pea, burning up in the atmosphere as Earth crosses Swift-Tuttle’s orbital path. The Perseids produce more visible meteors than any other annual meteor shower.
Meteors can appear anywhere but seem to emerge from a single point, or “radiant”.
If you’re unable to catch tonight’s show, the shower is expected to continue until August. 24 – but tonight’s display will likely be the most spectacular.
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If all else fails, NASA TV and NASA’s UStream channel will host a live show with meteor science experts from Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
