Event

From  NASA: "In this 30 second exposure taken with a circular fish-eye lens, a meteor streaks across the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower on Friday, Aug. 12, 2016 in Spruce Knob, West Virginia. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)"

The famed Perseid meteor shower peaks during the mornings of August 11 through the 13th, with the highest peak possibly the night of August 12 through the morning of August 13. Unfortunately, this coincides with a full Moon all night, whose brightness will make it hard to observe all but the brightest meteors.

However, since this meteor shower has a long buildup to its peak, you can watch for Perseids a week before and still see a few lovely meteors to tide you over.

To observe this shower, get to a dark spot, get comfortable, bring blankets to stay warm (justy in case!), and let your eyes adjust to the dark sky. A cozy lounge chair makes for a great seat, as does simply lying on your back on a blanket, eyes scanning the whole sky.  You may want to pack some bug spray for this potentially warm summer nights!

 

The meteors will seem to fly out, or radiate, from an area in the sky in between Cassiopeia and Perseus, towards the North/Northeast (see illustration). These meteors originate from the dusty tail of Comet Swift-Tuttle as the Earth crosses its old orbital path.

Find out more Perseid observing tips for this year courtesy EarthSky and on JPL's What's Up for August 2022 stargazing video. The Night Sky Network has a handout that you may find useful for your meteor watching party: Heads Up: It's a Meteor Shower Handout!

 

EarthSky's Observers Guide for the Perseids

Date: Friday, August 12 - Saturday, August 13, 2022

Radiant point of the Perseids, courtesy EarthSky 32 KB