Perseid Meteor Shower Dazzles Stargazers

This weekend, stargazers across British Columbia and beyond are gearing up for the spectacular Perseid meteor shower. The annual event, which peaks on August 12, is expected to showcase up to 100 meteors per hour after midnight.

The Perseids occur every summer as Earth moves through the debris left by the comet Swift-Tuttle. Matthew Cimone from the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver explained that the meteors we see are bits of that comet burning up as they enter our atmosphere.

These shooting stars seem to come from the Perseus constellation, which is where the shower gets its name. Cimone likens the experience to driving through snow, where the flakes appear to radiate from a central point.

For the best view, he suggests finding a dark spot, away from city lights. It’s best to go somewhere that is less likely to be clouded over. Just bring a comfortable chair and look up!

To catch this cosmic show, no fancy gear is needed. In fact, it’s better to keep your eyes open and scan the sky instead of peering through binoculars. Cimone recommends focusing your gaze toward the northeast where Perseus is located.

Interestingly, many of the meteors are remnants of material that formed billions of years ago. It’s a reminder of how ancient our solar system is while remaining incredibly active, Cimone added.

This year, the conditions for viewing are particularly good, as the moon will set around midnight, allowing the sky to be darker. So if you want to enjoy what NASA’s Bill Cooke calls “the richest meteor shower of the year,” make sure to head outside!