Look Up! The Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks August 12-13
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There are numerous meteor showers throughout the year. However, few are as popular, or as reliable, as the Perseids. The shower has been producing about a dozen meteors an hour since mid-July. But the best time to see them will be on the night of August 12 into the morning of August 13, 2026. That is when the number of meteors will increase sharply to between 50 and 100 an hour. This year, the peak of the shower coincides with a new moon. This means the meteors will be easier to spot in the dark skies.
What causes meteor showers?
Often called "shooting stars," meteors are actually tiny bits of dust and rock left behind by comets as they orbit the Sun. When Earth passes through these debris trails, the fragments slam into our atmosphere at extreme speeds and burn up. This creates the fast, bright streaks of light we see from the ground, which we call meteors.
Why are they called the Perseids?
The perseid shower is named after the constellation Perseus because the meteors appear to come from there. In reality, the debris responsible for the Perseids was left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun approximately once every 133 years. It last passed Earth in 1992 and will make its next appearance in 2126. The shooting stars can be seen from both hemispheres. However, because Perseus sits so high in the northern sky, the best views are reserved for those in the Northern Hemisphere.
Why are the Perseids so popular?
Besides being reliable, the Perseids also produce the highest number of fireballs — meteors as bright as Jupiter and Venus. NASA scientists attribute the large number of fireballs to Swift-Tuttle's massive, 16-mile (26-km) wide nucleus. Because it is so much larger than most other comets, it sheds hundreds of space rocks. Many are big enough to create these brilliant explosions of light. Also, the peak of the shower happens in mid-August. This means stargazers can enjoy the show during warm summer nights.
How to watch the Perseids
To make the most of this celestial event, look for a dark, open space away from city lights. Also, leave the telescopes and binoculars at home. The meteor shower is best viewed with just your own eyes. Be patient. It takes the eyes about 15 minutes to get used to the dark skies and just as long to spot a flashing meteor. And don't forget to make a wish — it might just come true!
Resources: NASA.gov, Space.com, Wikipedia.org
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ilovehenrydsaf120 daysmeteor showers are awesome! first comment!
