The northern hemisphere’s most popular and dependable meteor shower of the year has begun.
The Perseid meteor shower runs from July 14 through September 1 in 2023, peaking in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, August 13. The absolute maximum number of “shooting stars” per hour is 100, though normal rates seen in rural locations are more like 50-75 during the peak, according to the American Meteor Society.
The annual phenomenon of dust and dirt from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle striking Earth’s atmosphere is a popular excuse to go camping and RV-ing. That’s a wise move—both extreme darkness and the ability to be outside at irregular times of night is invaluable if you’re so see something spectacular.
Here are six things to remember when planning a trip to see the Perseids:
- You need to be in a place with low light pollution, such as a rural location without any artificial lights or an International Dark Sky Park. Book well ahead.
- You’ll need clear skies—clouds will block everything.
- You should plan to be outside during the peak hours, which occurs overnight on between Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13. Don’t go to sleep before at least 2 a.m. (preferably 3 a.m.)
- Be patient—it’s a waiting game.
- Dark-adapted eyes take 30 minutes to an hour to nurture and are hugely important. Don’t look at your smartphone, which will also distract you.
- Leave binoculars and telescopes at home—they will only restrict your view. Naked eyes are all you need.
- A lawn chair or blanket makes it much easier on your neck.
The reason everyone is getting excited about this year’s Perseid meteor shower is because the peak night occurs when the moon is down. Taking place just a few nights before new moon, our satellite will be a mere 9%-lit as it rises, so won’t much interrupt the peak. Last year the Persieds peak was ruined by a full moon.
Meteors—also called “shooting stars”—are small pieces of rock or dust that burn-up as they strike Earth’s atmosphere. Meteor showers are caused by the Earth passing through the dust-strewn orbit of a comet or asteroid. In the case of the Perseids it’s comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun approximately every 133 years.
The Perseid meteor shower is primarily a display exclusive to those in the northern hemisphere. That’s down to the visibility of the constellation Perseus, which is much higher in the northern hemisphere, rising in the northeast as darkness begins during mid-August. Perseids appear to radiate from Perseus, but they can appear anywhere in the night sky.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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