Earth loves flaunting its beauty. A couple of months ago, we saw the Strawberry Moon, which was absolutely spectacular. And now, the Perseid meteor shower. It’s one of the best meteor showers of the year, with as many as 100 shooting stars an hour at its peak, including some bright fireballs that can light up the sky for longer than usual.
So, what is the Perseid meteor shower?
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The Perseids happen every year when Earth passes through dust left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle. These tiny bits of dust, no bigger than grains of sand, hit our atmosphere at incredible speed, about 36 miles per second. When they burn up, they create bright streaks of light we call meteors. The shower is named after the constellation Perseus, since that’s where the meteors seem to come from.
NASA describes the Perseids as “most popular meteor shower of the year”, and it’s easy to see why. It’s because the display is often spectacular.
So, when’s the best time to watch?
According to the Royal Observatory, the Perseids are active from mid-July through late August, but the best time to watch is around tomorrow, August 12, when the shower reaches its peak.
In the UK, you can start spotting meteors soon after sunset on 11 August, but the best viewing is between midnight and around 5:30 am on 12 August. If you can stay up late or get up early, you could see up to 100 meteors an hour. Plus, Jupiter and Venus will be nearby, shining brightly in the sky.
According to NASA, the moon will be about 84 per cent full, so its brightness might wash out some of the fainter meteors. But if you can find a spot where something like a tall building or tree blocks the moonlight, you’ll still see plenty of shooting stars.
Best ways to watch the Perseid meteor shower in the UK
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You don’t need any special equipment, just your eyes. Find a dark spot away from streetlights, preferably with a clear view of the sky.
Experts suggest giving your eyes about 10 minutes to get used to the dark. Using a red light torch is helpful, as it won’t spoil your night vision. Also, standing on a hill in the countryside or going to the coast are usually the best places to watch meteors.
Meteorite expert Dr Ashley King, from London’s Natural History Museum says, “Once you get used to the low light levels, you’ll begin to notice more and more. So don’t give up too quickly.”
Wrap up warm, take your time, and enjoy one of the year’s best natural displays.
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