Perseids Meteor Shower The famed Perseid meteor shower will peak between the nights of August 11 and 12. It is possible the highest activity will be on the night of August 12/morning of August 13. However, a bright Moon will interfere with viewing, even from normally dark locations.
Still, a few very bright meteors should still be visible. To observe this shower, get to a dark spot, get comfortable, and bring blankets to stay warm, 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. 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. You can use the free Meteor Counter app to record your meteor count and participate in NASA's LADEE mission! Available for iOS devices at http://meteorcounter.com/
Radiant of the Perseid meteor shower. Illustration credit: NASA
Still, a few very bright meteors should still be visible. To observe this shower, get to a dark spot, get comfortable, and bring blankets to stay warm, 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. 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. You can use the free Meteor Counter app to record your meteor count and participate in NASA's LADEE mission! Available for iOS devices at http://meteorcounter.com/
Radiant of the Perseid meteor shower. Illustration credit: NASA
Date: Monday, August 11 - Wednesday, August 13, 2014