The Perseid meteor shower is one we can count on every summer for a great show, weather permitting, and this year’s event reaches its climax tonight. Late Sunday night before dawn Monday will be the best time to see the Perseids, according to NASA. You’ll want to find a viewing spot with a clear, dark sky, but you won’t need any special equipment to get the most out of the experience – meteors should be plentiful, and visible to the naked eye.
The Perseids arrive every year in late July and last for several weeks. These meteors (or shooting stars) occur as debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle collides with Earth’s atmosphere, creating colorful beams of light as the fragments burn up. At its peak, this phenomenon can deliver up to 100 meteors per hour. Also, the Perseids are known to give a spectacular light show. “The Perseids are also known for their fireballs,” according to NASA. “Fireballs are large bursts of light and color that can last longer than the average meteor streak. This is because fireballs come from large cometary particles. “
So find a good spot – well after the moon goes down – look up, and wait. You may be able to see some natural fireworks.
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