August Perseid Meteor Shower
The Perseids are one of the brighter meteor showers of the year. They occur every year between July 17 and August 24 and tend to peak around August 9-13.
image credit: Forbes.com
Perseid meteor shower can bring as many as 100 “shooting stars” per hour on its peak night. In 2020, that’s Tuesday, August 11 into Wednesday, August 12, and easily the most popular meteor shower of the year in the tonight is one of the best nights of the year to see “shooting stars.” It’s caused by dust and debris left in Earth’s orbital path by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which last entered the Solar System in 1992 and is due back in July 2126.
Quick Facts
Period: 17 Jul–24 Aug
Peak: 12-13 Aug in Singapore up to 150 meteors per hrs.
Parent:109P/Swift-Tutle Best view in Northern Hemisphere But still visible in Singapore.
image credit:timeanddate.com
How to See the Perseids
You don't need any special equipment or a lot of skills to
view a meteor shower. Even though all you really need is a clear sky, lots of
patience, and our handy Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map with a visibility
conditions meter to see a meteor shower, the following tips can help maximize
your shooting star viewing experience.
Dress for the weather, and make sure you are comfortable,
especially if you plan to stay out long. Bring a blanket or a comfortable chair
with you—meteor watching can be a waiting game. Lie down on the ground and look
up in the direction of the radiant. Use Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map to
find the current direction of the radiant in the sky.
Note: The Perseids can number as many as 100 per hour depending on the night sky. Last Quarter Moon about midnight is going to bleach-out some of the brighter meteors, but there should still be plenty for patient eyes to spot.
GOOD LUCK GUYS AND ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL NIGHT SKY.
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