Don’t Forget: The Year’s Most Spectacular Meteor Shower Hits Its Peak This Weekend

The Perseid meteor shower is set to reach its zenith on August 12, and this year’s occurrence is particularly favorable for viewers due to the presence of a waning crescent moon. If you’re in the U.S., you can look forward to seeing roughly 40 meteors every hour during peak nights, though this figure drops noticeably in suburban locations.

This year’s Perseids are gaining special attention because of the waning crescent moon, which will boost visibility.

NASA’s All Sky Fireball Network has already started picking up the initial meteors of 2023’s Perseid meteor shower. It will reach its climax on the night of August 12 when Earth traverses the densest parts of comet Swift-Tuttle’s debris trails.

On July 26, 2023, the first Perseid meteor of the year was detected by NASA’s All Sky Fireball Network. Image credit: NASA/All Sky Fireball Network

Often touted as the most impressive meteor shower of the year, the Perseids are known for their frequency and enjoyable late-summer viewing conditions. Unlike the previous year, when the full moon coincided with the shower, this year will feature a waning crescent moon, enabling even fainter meteors to be visible.

Predicted Viewing Figures

Wondering how many meteors you might see?

“In the U.S., about 40 Perseids can be anticipated in the hour just before sunrise during peak nights. That’s approximately one every two minutes – not too shabby,” remarked Bill Cooke, the head of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office. He noted, “This assumes you are in a rural location, far from urban and suburban areas.”

Expectations plummet to 10 or fewer meteors an hour in the more brightly lit suburban locations.

A diagram from NASA’s Fireball Network illustrates the shifting direction of the Perseid radiant over time, a phenomenon caused by Earth’s motion around the Sun. This makes the radiant seem to “move” relative to distant stars. Illustration credit: Danielle Moser, NASA Meteoroid Environment Office

For those in the Northern Hemisphere, the Perseid meteor shower is best viewed under clear, dark skies and a touch of patience. There’s no need to focus on a specific direction; the meteors will be visible throughout the sky.

The Perseids originate from a spot in the constellation Perseus, following similar orbits. Meteor showers are named after their point of origin, known as the radiant.

On June 1, 1993, the orbiter Discovery was prepared for mission STS-51 with an intended liftoff in mid-July. Image credit: NASA/JSC

Interesting tidbit:

The 1993 NASA – STS-51 launch was once postponed due to worries over the Perseid meteor shower’s anticipated intense activity, raising concerns about potential damage to a spacecraft in Earth’s orbit.

Background

The Perseid meteor shower is the result of Earth moving through debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle. The debris ignites in Earth’s atmosphere, forming bright trails often called “shooting stars” or meteors.

Named after the constellation Perseus, the Perseids can be seen in all parts of the sky. The shower is renowned for its vivid and swift meteors, yielding dozens of meteors per hour at its height.

Cultural and Scientific Relevance

With a history of nearly 2,000 years of observation, the Perseid meteor shower occupies a unique place in both folklore and scientific exploration. It not only delivers a stunning visual experience for amateur skywatchers but also furnishes essential data for astronomers investigating meteoroids and the debris of comets.

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More about fokus keyword Perseid meteor shower

• NASA’s guide to meteor showers
• Information on comet Swift-Tuttle
• Stargazing tips and locations