These fast and bright meteors are a favorite for sky watchers, and those in the Northern Hemisphere are sure to be treated to an even more breathtaking event this year because Earth will be closer to the meteor shower.
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The shower gets its name from the Perseid constellation, the area of the night sky where all the meteors appear to originate from, Pryor said.
The dazzling meteors are small bits of material left behind by the Comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun about once every 133 years and leaves behind a stream of debris that Earth plows through every year in August, producing the planet’s most widely watched annual show of shooting stars.
While this is set to be one of the better showings of the Perseids, it can still be hard to view in Australia. NASA reports you could see as many as 100 to 200 “outburst” per hour.
If you ever wanted to travel through the dusty trail of a comet – and enjoy the meteor light show that comes with it – this is the month to do it. Odds look fairly low to see the meteor shower.
The Perseid is always a noteworthy event that attracts a crowd of viewers, but this year is expected to be special, according to Lake Mead National Recreation Area representative Chelsea Kennedy. But, on Thursday night into Friday morning the show should be really beefing things up.
As Nell notes, the best time to catch the shower is between midnight and dawn.
Where will the best views be? It’ll also estimate your best chance of viewing the Perseids from your location.
While the Perseids radiate from Perseus, they can be seen all over the sky. The shower’s radiant – where the meteors seem to originate from – is near the constellation Perseus, but it’s not necessary to look for the constellation. There are plenty of apps both free and paid for all platforms.
Let your eyes adjust for 30-40 minutes to maximize your night vision.
Sam Storch, a retired astronomy professor and member of the Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches, said people shouldn’t be discouraged if they walk out their door and don’t see a meteor right away. Limit your phone use as much as possible!
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A spectacular light show in the sky is in store for folks who can stay up past midnight Thursday night and get to a vantage point relatively far from fog and city lights. Do not forget to constantly be scanning for your best chance of seeing something.
