It’s that time of year again for all the stargazers out there – the annual Perseids Meteor Shower is here! This meteor shower is one of the most famous and spectacular ones you can witness. It started on 17 July in 2024 and will be visible until 24 August, with the peak expected between 12-13 August. During the peak, you might be able to see up to 100 shooting stars per hour, according to Nasa.
The Perseid Meteor Shower is made up of hundreds of meteors that light up the sky like a natural firework show. These meteors vaporize as they streak across the sky, leaving behind a bright trail of light. Despite hitting the Earth’s atmosphere at an incredible speed of 36 miles per second, they do not pose any danger to us.
These meteors are actually tiny pieces of the Swift-Tuttle comet’s debris that we pass through every year. The sizes of these ice and dust particles can range from as small as a grain of sand to as big as a pea. The last time the Swift-Tuttle comet passed close to Earth was in 1992, leaving behind this debris that creates the Perseid Meteor Shower.
The best time to view the Perseids is when the sky is at its darkest, usually in the middle of the night between midnight and the early hours of the morning. The peak nights for this year are expected to be on 12 and 13 August, but the shower may be visible anytime between 17 July and 24 August.
The Perseids get their name from the constellation Perseus, as the radiant of these meteors is within that constellation. To view the Perseid Meteor Shower, you don’t need any special equipment like telescopes or binoculars. Finding a wide-open space away from tall buildings or trees with minimal light pollution is the best way to enjoy the show. Let your eyes adjust to the dark for about 30 minutes, and avoid looking at your phone screen to protect your night vision.
Remember, meteors can be seen all over the sky so keep an open mind when observing. Enjoy the spectacular show of the Perseid Meteor Shower and don’t forget to share your viewing experiences with us in the comments!
