ASHLAND — Skywatchers and astronomers might want to look up tonight and tomorrow night, as the Perseid meteor shower is expected to be the brightest.
The Perseid meteor shower happens yearly from around July 17 to Aug. 24, as Earth cross the orbital path of Comet Swift-Tuttle. This year, experts expect the shower to reach peak visibility on Aug. 11, around midnight.
“Debris from this comet litters the comet’s orbit, but we don’t really get into the thick of the comet rubble until after the first week of August,” reads an article from EarthSky.
Chances of seeing a meteor are good because the moon will be only 13% illuminated, making for darker skies. According to NASA, stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere will have a better chance of seeing them.
But it will also depend on clear skies.
The National Weather Station predicts a slight chance of thunderstorm before 9 p.m. and then partly cloudy. But skies are expected to clear up around midnight, and stay clear through the early morning hours.
The term “shower” is a bit misleading. Experts say the Perseids will produce about 50-60 shooting stars each hour. The best time to watch for meteors is midnight or later.
And the best place to see them is away from city and street lights.
Experts advise that people should give their eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the dark and to give yourself an hour of stargazing.
“Remember, all good things come to those who wait. Meteors are part of nature. There’s no way to predict exactly how many you’ll see on any given night. Find a good spot, watch, wait. You’ll see some,” an EarthSky article reads.
If you miss the show tonight, there is still a chance to see some Perseid meteors Aug. 12 and 13 around the same time.
