SerpApi.Org
It will reach its peak in August.
Take advantage of the warm summer nights to catch an out-of-this-world light show, starting tonight.
Considered to be the best meteor shower of the year, the Perseids begin on July 17 and are expected to last until August 24, according to the American Meteor Society. This shower typically peaks in mid-August, producing “swift and bright” meteors, as NASA describes them, that often leave streaks of light and color behind as they zoom through the sky. They originate from the debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle as it orbits the Sun every 133 years.
According to NASA, meteor showers (often called shooting stars) are produced when pieces of comet debris heat up and burn as they enter the Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in bright bursts of light streaking across the sky. The Perseids get their name from the constellation Perseus since the meteors appear to radiate from that part of the sky.
This year, the Perseid meteor shower is predicted to peak on the night of August 12 into the early morning of August 13, when Earth travels through the most dense and dusty part of the comet debris. The mornings of August 12 and 13 will probably be your best opportunities to catch the shooting stars. The shower is often best viewed just before dawn. Plus, this year, the shower will peak during a new moon, providing ideal dark skies for viewing.
Under a dark sky with no moon, skywatchers frequently report 90 meteors per hour or more, according to EarthSky.org.
For the best chance at spotting meteors, you should find a location with minimal light pollution. Bring a chair and blankets so you can sit or lie down and comfortably look up at the sky for long periods. You may be able to spot the occasional shooting star during late July, as activity steadily builds until it reaches its peak on August 12 and 13.
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