Catch the Perseid Meteor Shower This Weekend

It’s that time of year again when sky watchers get excited for the Perseid meteor shower! This stunning celestial event is set to peak this Sunday night into early Monday morning.

The Perseids are an amazing display of light that happens every year when the Earth passes through debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle. This year, viewers can expect to see up to 100 meteors streaking across the sky every hour, moving incredibly fast at speeds of 133,200 miles per hour.

According to Bill Cooke from NASA, the Perseids are considered the richest meteor shower of the year, often likened to a fireworks show in the sky. The meteors can be as bright as Venus, and some fireballs can be monumentally dazzling.

This year’s meteor shower offers optimal viewing conditions because the moon will only be partially illuminated, meaning that faint meteors won’t be washed out by moonlight. The best viewing time is expected to be around 2 a.m., when the radiant point, near the constellation Perseus, will be high in the sky.

For the best experience, find a dark location free of light pollution, lie back, and give your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness. Just remember not to look at your phone!

Experts recommend using a stargazing app to help you locate Perseus in the sky. They emphasize the importance of patience; the meteors can appear in any part of the sky, so the more you watch, the more you’re likely to see!