100 Meteors Per Hour
Peak viewing time is midnight to dawn, with dark skies promising a spectacular show
The Perseid meteor shower is set to peak on Wednesday night into Thursday morning, coinciding with a total solar eclipse across Spain, Iceland, and Greenland. This celestial event is expected to produce up to 100 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.
The Perseid meteor shower is caused by the Earth passing through debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 133 years and is not scheduled for a return visit until 2125. The best views of the meteor shower will be between midnight and dawn when the constellation Perseus is high in the northern sky.
The Perseid meteor shower can produce fireballs, which are extra bright meteors that leave behind glowing trails as they disintegrate. The moon will be in its new moon phase during the Perseid meteor shower's peak, making viewing conditions even better. This is because the new moon means there will be no moonlight flooding the sky, allowing for a clearer view of the meteors.
Observations of the Perseid meteor shower date back over 2,000 years, making it a perennial favorite among astronomers and stargazers. The American Meteor Society estimates that 30 to 50 meteors per hour could be seen from rural regions in the US.
## What to Expect The Perseid meteor shower is expected to be especially impressive this year due to the dark skies caused by the new moon. With up to 100 meteors per hour possible under ideal conditions, this is an event not to be missed for those in the northern hemisphere.
## Viewing Conditions The best time to view the Perseid meteor shower will be between midnight and dawn, when the constellation Perseus is high in the northern sky. It is recommended to find a dark location with minimal light pollution to maximize the viewing experience.
The Perseid meteor shower is a significant celestial event that occurs every year, and this year's peak coincides with a total solar eclipse across Spain, Iceland, and Greenland. With its rich history and promise of spectacular views, the Perseid meteor shower is an event that is sure to dazzle and inspire stargazers around the world.
