Gather round and gaze up, cosmic kids, the annual Perseid meteor shower peaks tonight.
In previous years, the Perseid shower has produced as many as 40-50 visible meteors per hour at its peak. Unfortunately, this year, due to the shower peaking close to a nearly Full Moon, visibility will be compromised.
The moon will technically be in its waning gibbous phase, or 85% illuminated, making meteor viewing more challenging. Still, according to experts, sky gazers still stand to see 10 to 20 meteors per hour.
When to watch the Perseid meteor shower
Hopeful watchers have two windows tonight and in the wee hours of tomorrow to catch the shooting star show.
This evening, there will be a one-hour gap between dusk and moonrise, providing a prime canvas to see “Earth grazers,” or meteors that graze the upper atmosphere.
While these beauties may be few and far between, they are long and long-lasting, painting the sky for two to three seconds a pop.
Our second viewing window opens in the last hours before daybreak on Wednesday, roughly 3 a.m. – 6 a.m.
While the nearly full moon will be clogging the southern sky with its lunar light, viewers can turn their gaze northward toward the constellation Perseus and catch a few bright meteors before the sun rises.
Where to see the Perseid meteor shower
As a celestial boon to those who are rising early or staying up late, the Perseid peak occurs just after the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter, and the two luminaries will still be cuddling close together and shining brightly in the sky just before sunrise.
How to see the Perseid meteor shower
The Perseids are best viewed under clear skies and away from the maddening hum of crowds and the ugly interference of light pollution.
And while many a noob will reach for a telescope or binoculars, it is better to take in the entirety of the sky, rather than a small part.
The meteors can and will appear anywhere up there, but your best bet is to stare into the darkest part of the sky that your location affords. For best results, lie flat on your back. After roughly 30 minutes, your eyes will adjust to the dark..
While the Perseids peak tonight, the shower will keep on showering through Sept. 1, giving us more time for gazing. Conditions will improve as the moon wanes back to the black of a New Moon on Aug. 23.
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
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