Perseid meteor shower observed over the Pamir Plateau in China in August 2021
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This year’s Perseid meteor shower begins on July 17th and ends on August 24th, but is best visible early in the morning around the peak on August 12th and 13th. Thanks to the new moon on August 16, the moon is only about 10 percent illuminated on the morning of its peak, so meteors should be a particularly impressive sight this year.
How active is the Perseid meteor shower?
When the showers are just beginning, you can expect to see about one meteor per hour. This is about as much as you see when observing the starry sky at night. But closer to August 12 and 13, the number of meteors will increase from a maximum of 50 to 75 per hour, reaching a maximum of 100.
What is the Perseid meteor shower?
Meteor showers are caused by clouds of debris left behind by comets that the Earth passes through on its way around the Sun. When tiny pieces of dust or rocks rush into the atmosphere at great speed, friction with the air causes them to burst into flames and flash across the sky.
The Perseid meteor shower is caused by Comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun every 133 years. The last time I saw this comet with binoculars was Built in 1992, it won’t be seen again until 2125. But in the meantime, we can enjoy the exhibits left behind.
Why is it called the Perseid meteor shower?
Each meteor shower is named after the point in the sky from which the meteor originates or radiates. For the Perseid meteor shower, this is the constellation Perseus. The Perseid meteor shower can be seen from all over the world, but tends to be best seen in the northern hemisphere, where the Perseus constellation is visible. This constellation lies in the middle of the triangle formed by the W or M shape (depending on where you are) formed by Cassiopeia, the Pleiades star cluster, and the bright star Canopus in Carina. If you see any of these, you are looking at the correct part of the sky.
Where should I look for the Perseid meteor shower?
Don’t worry too much about finding Perseus. Let your eyes acclimate and watch for meteors shooting across the sky in all directions. They appear and disappear within seconds, moving quickly through the sky. If you’re lucky, you might even see a fireball, a large, bright meteor that appears as bright as Venus.
When is the best time to look for the Perseid meteor shower?
A few days on either side of the summit in mid-August offer a good chance of seeing a shooting star. Check the weather forecast for clouds and try to look for clear nights during the week and the weeks leading up to the summit. In general, it’s better to focus on pre-peaks rather than post-peaks. No matter where you are in the world, the best time to see at night is after midnight.
What can you do to increase your chances of seeing a meteor shower?
You don’t have to go out in the middle of nowhere to see meteors, but try to reduce the light pollution around you, as dark skies can help. If possible, go to an area away from street lights, such as in the middle of a park. If viewing at home, turn off all lights and look for a view unobstructed by trees, buildings, or other objects.
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