The Perseid meteor shower, a dazzling summer light show, peaks this week. The best meteor shower of the year features fireballs and up to 100 meteors per hour. It’s a great week to look up at the night sky.
When to See the Meteor Shower
The Perseid meteor shower peaks Aug. 12 to 13, late into the evening and before sunrise. The meteor shower consists of debris from the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. The comet itself takes 133 years to orbit the sun and has not visited the inner solar system since 1992, according to NASA.
The Perseids will be most visible in the pre-dawn hours, meaning after moonset and before sunrise. At peak, you may be able to see up to 50-100 meteors per hour and even a few fireball meteors, according to NASA. Fireballs are larger meteors that shine brightly and quickly as they burn up in the sky.
Viewing Tips
The best way to view the meteor shower will be away from light pollution, between moonset and sunrise. If you want to go the extra mile, find a dedicated dark sky location. Remember to allow 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the night sky.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
