Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend

This Sunday night, skywatchers are in for a treat as the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak. This annual event began in July and runs through August, but the best viewing happens overnight from Sunday into Monday.

Nasa describes the Perseids as the ‘best meteor shower of the year,’ with about 50 to 100 meteors visible per hour under ideal conditions. The prime time for viewing is during the pre-dawn hours, though you may catch some meteors as early as 10 p.m.

According to NASA, the Moon will set just as the shower starts to peak, which is great news for stargazers. If you want to check out some peak times for your area, the Old Farmer's Almanac has specific details based on ZIP codes across the United States.

Those in the Northern Hemisphere will have the best view of the Perseids. Nirvana for meteor watchers would be to escape light pollution by finding the darkest spot possible. NASA advises, ‘Try to get to the darkest location you can.’ The darker it is, the more meteors you’ll likely see.

If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse, remember to look up! NASA recommends lying on your back and allowing your eyes to adjust to the darkness, while also avoiding your phone. Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, so it’s best not to focus in just one direction, although facing northeast might help.

Right now, two other meteor showers are also active. The Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower runs until August 21, while the alpha Capricornids will continue until August 11, according to the American Meteor Society.

Looking ahead to fall, the next big event on the cosmic calendar is the Orionids meteor shower, which will peak in mid-October. It’s known for its beautiful and fast meteors, making it one of the highlights of the year for stargazers.

While most meteors burn up before hitting the ground, some make it through and become meteorites. So keep an eye on the night sky for those bright streaks of light!