This week will be one of the best times to watch the Perseid meteor shower, chair of Foothill College’s astronomy department said.
Advertisement
Technically, the shower has been going on all month as the Earth moves through a cloud of debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle comet. The dust disintegrates and is lit up by the friction of the air caused by its blinding speed and is visible as gorgeous bright streaks that light up the sky.
The Perseids-the most active and brightest annual meteor shower-began July 17 but will peak late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, according to NASA.
Westbrook says the Perseids are associated with the Swift-Tuttle comet, a comet which orbits the sun once every 133 years. According to NASA, this will make the shower’s peak much easier to view due to the lack of moonlight obscuring the shooting stars.
The peak of the shower this year falls tonight and last night, too. “But what’s rare about this year is that there’s a new moon so the skies will be darker and there will be more chance to see a meteor”.
Westbrook added,”One of the neat things about meteor showers and seeing meteors, you don’t need a telescope, you don’t need any special equipment”.
“Look towards the familiar constellations Cassiopeia and Perseus in the northeast”.
Michelle’s Forecast: More sunshine, then great night for meteor shower!:.
“Not long after twilight ends and, provided you’re away from light pollution and you have a clear evening, you will see the occasional Perseid meteor streaking across the sky”. The Perseids will radiate from the constellation Perseus, near the famous Double Cluster.
The shower could bring about 50 to 100 meteors per hour so better get those wishes ready.
Advertisement
The best times to view it are well after dark, nearly closer to dawn.
