The Perseids meteor shower, often hailed as the best annual meteor shower for casual stargazers, is set to dazzle the night skies with a spectacular show this year; up to 100 Perseids meteors will streak skies with color and lights across the Northern Hemisphere.
The celestial event is best between 11 p.m., Sunday, August 11, and dawn, Monday, August 12.
This year, the shower will be particularly enjoyable thanks to a first quarter moon that sets before midnight, leaving the sky dark and perfect for meteor viewing. The radiant, the point from which the meteors appear to originate, rises in the middle of the night and is highest at dawn, offering optimal viewing conditions in the early hours.
To catch the Perseids, you don’t need any special equipment. Just find a spot away from city lights, lay back, and look up. The meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, but they will seem to radiate from the constellation Perseus.
So, grab a blanket, find a dark spot, and prepare to be amazed by the Perseids meteor shower. It’s a cosmic spectacle that’s definitely worth staying up late for!
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
