The Perseids peak during the night of August 11-12, and have up to 75 meteors per hour. Here’s what you need to know:
What are the Perseids?
The Perseids are dust and pun of the comet Swift-Tuttle, AccuWeather explains.
“Persuaders are not only perfect, they are beautiful. Most of the meteors leave a glistening trail as they pass,” said AccuWeather Astronomy Blogger Dave Samuhel. “They are multicolored and many are bright.”
The meteor shower is widely considered the best of the year because of its high rates and comfortable temperatures in late summer, according to NASA.
When are the Perseids in 2020?
The Perseid Meteor shower will pick up Tuesday night.
The best time to view is between Tuesday 11am Wednesday and 1pm Wednesday. That is the darkest time of the night before the moon rises.
For those with earlier bedtime, a few shooting stars will be on display at 9pm local time.
How do I see the Perseids?
The Perseids can be seen with the naked eye. Meteors will be visible all over the sky, so do not worry about looking in a particular direction, according to NASA.
If weather conditions are not favorable in your area, NASA streams the shower on Facebook live from Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Here are some of AccuWeather’s tips to consider:
- Check the latest forecast. If patchy clouds are expected, then be patient and wait for breaks.
- Find an area with low light pollution. If you live in a city, consider traveling to an area with less light.
- Lie on your back and watch the whole sky.
- Forget not seeing your phone and other light sources. Look for the darkest area of the sky. Keep the moon out of your line of sight as much as possible.
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