If you’ve ever wanted a chance to see “shooting stars” streaking across the sky, you’re in luck: one of the best meteor showers of the year is happening right now.
The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most prolific showers to take place every year, offering stargazers the chance to see dozens of meteors each hour when it’s at its peak.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming celestial event.
Meteors are often called “shooting stars” or “falling stars.” They are caused by space debris that burns up as it passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in what look like streaks of light in the night sky.
If you look up on any given night, you might be able to see a few meteors each hour under optimal conditions. But meteor showers, which take place when Earth’s path intersects with the dusty trails that comets and asteroids leave behind, are special because you can see many more “falling stars” in that same amount of time.
The Perseid meteor shower occurs around the same time each year, typically starting in mid-July and lasting until late August, when our planet passes through debris from a comet called Swift-Tuttle. During this shower, you may be able to see up to 100 meteors per hour under the right conditions, according to astronomers.
NASA describes the Perseids as “swift and bright meteors,” saying that they "frequently leave long ‘wakes’ of light and color behind them as they streak through Earth’s atmosphere.”
When can you best see it?
The Perseid meteor shower is already underway. But your best chance of seeing the most meteors will come when it’s at its peak level of activity, which is set to occur the night of Aug. 12 into Aug. 13, according to NASA.
The agency also says that, because of the New Moon the night of Aug. 12, the sky is expected to be quite dark then, which will be ideal for spotting meteors.
How can you watch it?
To optimize your chances of seeing meteors, find a location outside once it’s totally dark. You don’t need binoculars or a telescope to see a meteor shower—all you need is your eyes. But you want to pick a spot that’s away from city lights where you have an unobstructed view of the sky. Experts suggest that you allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness, which can take about 30 minutes.
NASA says that the best way to see the Perseid meteor shower is to look northeast and “watch for the constellation Perseus to clear the horizon.” Meteors in the Perseid shower appear to originate from that constellation. But don’t just zero in on the constellation; make sure to let your eyes scan the broad expanse of the sky because meteors can streak across any part of it.
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