Stay up late or wake up early! A new moon and limited cloud cover will provide the best conditions to enjoy one of the most famous meteor showers. Here’s a breakdown of what this is and some helpful tips to enjoy the show:
Key Points
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What causes the Perseids?
According to earthsky.org, the Perseid meteor shower comes from the large parent comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. This comet was discovered in the 1860s and orbits the sun approximately every 133 years. The last time it passed close to Earth was in 1992.
When the Earth passes through the debris field left behind by this comet, pieces of ice and space rock cause the meteor shower. The peak of the Perseid meteor shower occurs when Earth travels through the densest part of this debris.
This year’s meteor shower
The meteor shower can be seen through Aug. 24, but it peaks the night of Aug. 12 into Aug. 13. After this, the number of meteors will gradually decline.
What makes this year special is that it coincides with a new moon, meaning there will be no moonlight to obscure your view, allowing you to see even the faintest meteors. 🌘
The radiant point, where the meteors appear to originate, is near the constellation Perseus, which rises above the northeastern horizon around 11 p.m. and climbs higher in the sky through the early morning hours.
For the best viewing experience, right before dawn is optimal as the radiant point will be higher in the sky. When you spot meteors, they are usually colorful and leave behind glowing trails. The brightest meteors can sometimes be seen a few degrees away from the radiant point.
Best viewing practices
Weather conditions should remain favorable with clear skies at night and into the early morning. However, cloud cover may build before sunrise. The ideal window for spotting meteors will likely be between midnight and 4 a.m.
To get the best view, find a dark spot away from city lights, and choose a location that isn’t obstructed by tall buildings. This will allow you to see as much of the sky as possible.
You won’t need telescopes or binoculars; just some patience and about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Avoid looking at your phone during this time!
It’s important to note that these meteors shouldn’t be confused with Starlink satellites, which have been reported in the skies. Satellites look like a “line of lights,” while meteors move much faster.
Meteor jargon
Meteor, meteorite, meteoroid … what’s the difference? According to NASA, they’re all related to the flashes of light in the sky that we call “shooting stars.”
Depending on where they are located, we refer to them by different names:
By the way, if you ever happen to see a rogue fireball in the night sky, report it to the American Meteor Society!
Happy meteor watching!
