The Perseid meteor shower peaks this weekend and it’s even better this year

The highly anticipated Perseid meteor shower is set to reach its peak this weekend, offering a breathtaking spectacle of bright streaks of light across the night sky.

With only a sliver of moon in sight, conditions this year are optimal for observing numerous meteors.

“If you have clear and dark skies, venture out just before dawn and you may witness a Perseid meteor every minute or so,” stated NASA meteor scientist Bill Cooke. “That’s quite a remarkable show.”

Here is a guide on how to observe the Perseid meteor shower:

WHAT ARE THE PERSEIDS?

The Perseids, one of the most prominent meteor showers, occur annually in late summer. Meteor showers materialize as the Earth traverses through fields of debris floating in space. The Perseids originate from comet Swift-Tuttle, a sizeable ice and rock formation that sheds fragments of dusty debris along its sun orbit. When the Earth passes through this debris, the particles get trapped in our atmosphere and burn up, resulting in the spectacular streaks of light. The name Perseids derives from the constellation Perseus, as the meteors appear to originate from this point in the sky.

WHEN IS THE SHOWER?

This year’s Perseid shower has already begun, but the peak event will occur this weekend, specifically from Saturday night to Sunday morning. Starting around 11 p.m. local time on Saturday, a few meteors will become visible, estimated at about one meteor every 15 minutes, according to Cooke. The frequency will steadily increase until before dawn on Sunday, when meteors will be observable throughout the sky.

HOW CAN I SEE THEM?

During the peak of the shower this weekend, the moon will be a waning crescent, appearing as a narrow slice. This is advantageous for meteor viewing since a bright moon can hinder meteor visibility. Unlike last year’s shower, which coincided with a full moon, observers in the Northern Hemisphere will have a clear view this year, provided there is no light pollution or cloud cover. No special equipment is required to view the meteors, but allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for approximately 30 minutes. Avoid using your cellphone, as its light can disrupt your night vision. The Perseids can appear in any part of the sky, so lie on your back, avert your gaze from the moon, and take in as much of the sky as possible, advises Cooke.

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