A Perseid meteor shower, one of the best of the year, happens when Earth crashes into debris left by a comet.
This week, the sky will light up with the annual Perseid meteor shower, which is one of the best meteor showers of the year. The Perseids are active from mid-July and will be at their best overnight from Monday, August 12, to Tuesday, August 13.
Dr. Ed Bloomer, a senior astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said the meteor shower won’t have a dramatic peak but will be good to watch a few days before and after. Weather and light conditions will matter more than the exact peak time.
The meteors seem to come from between the constellations Camelopardalis and Perseus. Dr. Bloomer suggests looking slightly away from the direction of Perseus, which rises in the northeast as the sun sets, since our side vision is better in low light.
The Perseid meteor shower happens when Earth runs into dust and small debris left by the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. When these tiny fragments, which are often as small as a grain of sand, enter the atmosphere, they create bright streaks across the sky as they burn up.
Catch the Perseid Meteor Shower: Tips for Viewing the Celestial Show and Understanding Its Origins
The comet Swift-Tuttle travels in a long 133-year orbit around the Sun, leaving behind debris. Each year, Earth moves into this debris trail, which is why the Perseid meteor shower happens at the same time and place in the sky every year.
To have the best chance of seeing the meteor shower, find a dark spot away from city lights and avoid looking at your phone.
You might be lucky and see a fireball—a large chunk of debris burning up in the atmosphere that can last 5 to 10 seconds and might even break apart. Most of the meteors will be quick flashes.
Stargazing can be fun with others, but because meteors appear and disappear quickly, it’s often a personal experience. Laying on the grass and looking up is a good way to enjoy the show. It’s not like fireworks, but it’s a fascinating way to see how our solar system works.
what is Perseid Meteor Shower ?
The Perseid Meteor Shower is an annual meteor shower known for its bright and fast-moving meteors. Here’s what you need to know:
- Origin: The Perseids are associated with the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. As the Earth orbits the Sun, it passes through the debris left behind by the comet. This debris burns up in the atmosphere, creating the streaks of light we see as meteors.
- Timing: The Perseid Meteor Shower occurs every year from mid-July to late August. It usually peaks around August 12th, with the best viewing conditions in the pre-dawn hours.
- Appearance: During the peak, you can see up to 60 to 100 meteors per hour, though this can vary. The meteors typically appear as fast-moving streaks of light across the night sky. Some can be quite bright and may even last several seconds.
- Viewing Tips: To see the Perseids at their best, find a dark location away from city lights. Lie down and look up at the sky, preferably in a direction away from the constellation Perseus, which is where the meteors seem to originate.
- Why It’s Special: The Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the most popular and reliable meteor showers, making it a favorite among stargazers. Its meteors are known for their brightness and frequency, making for a spectacular sky show.
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