Perseid Meteor Shower Lights Up the Sky This Week — Here is How to Watch
The Perseid meteor shower peaks August 12-13 with up to 100 meteors per hour visible in the Upstate sky. Here is when and where to catch the best views.
It is a great week to look up at the night sky. The Perseid meteor shower peaks August 12-13, offering one of the most spectacular celestial shows of the year for stargazers across the Upstate.
What Are the Perseids?The Perseid meteor shower is one of the brightest and most prominent meteor showers of the year, occurring at the end of every summer. The meteors consist of debris from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which takes 133 years to orbit the sun and has not visited the inner solar system since 1992, according to NASA.
When to WatchThe Perseids will be most visible in the pre-dawn hours — after moonset and before sunrise. At peak, you may be able to see up to 50-100 meteors per hour and even a few fireball meteors, according to NASA. Fireballs are larger meteors that shine brightly and quickly as they burn up in the sky.
Best Viewing ConditionsThe weather and sky cover should be mostly clear Wednesday evening across the region. The shower is named for the constellation Perseus, which is also its radiant — the point where the meteors appear to originate in the night sky. The shower should be visible in the northern part of the sky, just above Perseus' head. Tips for the Best ExperienceThe best way to view the meteor shower will be away from light pollution, between moonset and sunrise. If you want to go the extra mile, find a dedicated dark sky location near the Upstate. Remember to allow 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the night sky.
More Celestial Events This WeekTomorrow also holds a solar eclipse and an early morning celestial parade, with Mars and Saturn being the most visible. The new moon not only provides an eclipse but also a clear night to see the meteors. You may also see remnants of the Delta Aquarids meteor shower in a different part of the sky, which should taper off around the middle of the month, according to NASA.
Do not miss this dazzling summer light show — grab a blanket, find a dark spot, and enjoy one of nature's most spectacular displays. |
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