The Perseids Meteor Shower
 | Author:
Jeff Ross
Contributor |
The Perseids Meteor Shower
Jeff Ross
The annual Perseids Meteor Shower is now underway. The Perseids are a long-duration shower, with the first meteors visible beginning in mid-July and lasting until the first part of September. They will peak this year Sunday, August 13.
Last year our Moon was Full during the peak of the Perseids. This year it will only be 10% illuminated and will rise about an hour before dawn. Those dark skies should help us see the fainter meteors. The Perseids are "earthgrazer" meteors. They come in low, fast and bright, sometimes leaving long trails behind.
The Perseids are caused by the Earth crossing the orbital path of Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle and sweeping up dust and tiny particles that are remnants of its tail. Swift-Tuttle made its last pass in 1992. None of us are likely to see its next pass in 2126.
To get the best view, take a deck chair and get comfortable under an open sky any time after 10:30 pm and before 4:30 am and just start looking up. Meteors will show up in all parts of the sky and can be moving in all directions. If you trace their path back they will mostly all appear to be from the same general area in the constellation Perseus, high in the northeastern sky in the early morning hours.
Our long-range weather forecast is predicting clearing skies through the weekend. Nighttime temperatures are projected to be in the mid-50s so a hat and a warm sweater are not out of line. Better to be comfortable and stay to see more meteors than to let the chill drive away all interest in meteors no matter how showy they are.
I know of few more enjoyable ways to enjoy a summer evening than to be out under the stars with the Milky Way arching overhead watching for Perseid meteors!
With clear skies, of course.
