This summer, one of the most anticipated astronomical events here in the Valley, and around the world, is the Perseid meteor shower. It will be active from July 17 to August 24, 2024, with its peak occurring on the night of August 12 and the early morning of August 13. During the peak, you can expect to see up to 100 meteors per hour under optimal conditions.
The Perseid meteor shower is caused by Earth passing through the debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. As these debris particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up and create bright streaks across the sky, often referred to as “shooting stars” (Space.com) (EarthSky) (Royal Museums Greenwich).
For the best viewing experience, find a dark location away from city lights. The meteors can be seen anywhere in the sky, but they will appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus. The best time to watch is between midnight and dawn, when the sky is darkest and the meteors are most visible. Be sure to give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the dark for optimal viewing (Space.com) (Royal Museums Greenwich).
Enjoy the show and don’t forget to bring a comfortable chair, warm clothes, and perhaps a hot drink to make your meteor-watching experience even better!
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