(ORDO NEWS) — The Perseid meteor shower is approaching Earth and will reach its maximum intensity this week. How to look at this beautiful nature fireworks?
The Perseid meteor shower is the heaviest of the year and a fan favorite of fireball hunters. At night, during the peak situation of a meteor shower, under ideal conditions, the Perseids can produce up to 100 shooting stars per hour. The Perseids are known for their very fast and bright meteors, which leave colorful streaks in the sky.
The Perseids are also known for their fireballs. Fireballs are large explosions of light and color that can last longer than the average meteor streak.
This is because the fireballs originate from larger particles of cometary material.
The Perseids are active every year from mid-July to the last week of August. But the highest concentration of meteors appears during the night hours from 11 to 13 August. Astronomers expect the “shower” to peak on Wednesday, August 12th. Here’s what NASA astronomer Emily Clay advises:
“I advise you not to go to bed on the night of August 11-12. The Perseids are best seen between 2 am local time and dawn. If it is not cloudy, choose an observation location away from bright light, lie on your back and look up. No special equipment is required to view the Perseids – just your eyes. Please note that telescopes or binoculars are not recommended due to their small field of view.”
Getting the most out of meteorite hunting requires a little preparation.
The Perseids will be best seen when the sky is pitch black, although you may start to see individual meteors after sunset.
Meteors will appear in the sky from a point near the constellation Perseus, which in the northern hemisphere is located above the northern horizon. Just remember to give your eyes up to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark. You can do this by turning off your phone and lying down to see as much of the sky as possible. An unobstructed view of the horizon will help you track meteors.
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