Perseid Meteor Shower: Witness the Celestial Display
The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most anticipated celestial events of the year, is set to peak this weekend. With bright meteors expected, the spectacle would be a sight to behold. However, moonlight can often interfere with such displays. Fortunately, this year, the moon will set just in time for the Perseid activity, offering a clear view of the dazzling lights.
How do shooting stars occur?
Shooting stars, also known as meteors, are caused by tiny particles called meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere. As these particles collide with the dense air molecules, they heat up and vaporize, releasing energy visible as streaks of light in the night sky.
Where and when to watch the Perseids?
The Perseids seem to radiate from the constellation Perseus, and are best viewed in the northwestern sky after midnight. The peak activity is expected to occur during the overnight hours of late Sunday night into early Monday morning (August 11-12).
What to expect during the peak:
During the peak, you can expect to see between 50 and 75 shooting stars per hour. While that’s one every minute, reaching such a dazzling display requires finding a dark location far away from light pollution.
When is the best time to watch?
The Perseids are active from July 14 to September 1. While the peak will be most impressive this weekend, you can catch glimpses of the shooting stars throughout the entire period.
Influence of the moon:
The visibility of shooting stars is highly dependent on the phases of the Moon. Fortunately, this year, a half-illuminated Moon will descend in the Northern Hemisphere on Monday, August 12, around an hour after midnight. This will ensure minimal moonlight interference during the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.