Perseid Meteor Shower: When and How to Watch

NBC
NBC
1y ago
48 views
The annual Perseid meteor shower has begun, offering stargazers the chance to see numerous shooting stars. The event, known for its brilliant and frequent meteors, peaks in mid-August. Experts suggest finding a dark location away from city lights for the best viewing experience. The Perseid meteor shower is a result of Earth passing through the debris left by the Swift-Tuttle comet, producing bright streaks in the night sky.
Perseid Meteor Shower: When and How to Watch
A What happened
The annual Perseid meteor shower has begun, offering stargazers the chance to see numerous shooting stars. The event, known for its brilliant and frequent meteors, peaks in mid-August. Experts suggest finding a dark location away from city lights for the best viewing experience. The Perseid meteor shower is a result of Earth passing through the debris left by the Swift-Tuttle comet, producing bright streaks in the night sky.
★

Key insights

  • 1

    What Causes the Perseid Meteor Shower?: The Perseid meteor shower is caused by Earth passing through the trail of debris left by the Swift-Tuttle comet. As these particles enter Earth's atmosphere, they burn up, creating bright streaks of light in the night sky.

  • 2

    Optimal Viewing Conditions: To best observe the Perseid meteor shower, it is recommended to find a dark location away from city lights. The peak viewing time is expected to be in mid-August, with the best visibility occurring after midnight.

Takeaways

The Perseid meteor shower provides an exciting opportunity for stargazers to witness a natural light show. With its peak expected in mid-August, enthusiasts should prepare for optimal viewing conditions to fully experience this annual astronomical event.

Topics

Science & Research Space

Read the full article on NBC