Perseid Meteor Shower Spectacle Lights Up the Night Sky
[ad_1]
The Perseids meteor shower of 2024 peaks on August 11-12 and can be best enjoyed away from city lights after the moon sets early in the night. Prepare for chilly temperatures and bring supplies to a local viewing event for a comfortable, stunning night under the meteors. (Artist’s concept.) Credit: SciTechDaily.com
The 2024 Perseids meteor shower, peaking on the night of August 11, promises an impressive display, though visibility may be slightly hindered by a waxing moon.
Ideal viewing conditions include dark, clear skies away from city lights, and the shower can be best enjoyed by attending a local viewing party, staying warm, and being patient. Helpful resources from Swift-Tuttle, actually starts in mid to late July and lasts through most of August. While most of these nights only showcase a few meteors each hour, the peak of the Perseids brings many, many more. How much more? The number actually varies every year; there can be as little as a few dozen per hour, but some rare years bring a brief “burst’ of up to two hundred beautiful “shooting stars” an hour.
Viewing Conditions and Timing
This year’s Perseids will be slightly impacted by a 53% waxing Moon, but the Moon will set right as the Perseids begin to peak! This means that if you are in an area free from light pollution and enjoy clear skies, you may be able to see quite a few meteors over the course of the night! How many will you be able to see? There’s only one way to find out for yourself how strong the Perseids will be this year: go outside and patiently watch!
Tips for Enhancing Your Viewing Experience
We have a few tips on how to make the most of your meteor shower viewing experience:
- Get out of the city! Try to get to the darkest location you can. The darker it is where you are, the more meteors you will see streaking across the sky.
- Check the weather forecast for that night. You may need to check out two or three areas for predictions on fog, clouds, and temperature. Some weather sites even offer forecasts specially tailored for sky watching. Make sure you have clear skies to go along with those dark ones.
- Find a meteor shower party! Go to a gathering of like-minded folks in a local park, or an event hosted by a local astronomy club –…
[ad_2]
Read More: Perseid Meteor Shower Spectacle Lights Up the Night Sky