Blame it on the moon. This year’s Perseids meteors won’t be as visible at their peak
The annual Perseids meteor shower will reach its peak next week. But astronomers say it won’t be as visible as it has been in recent years.
A full moon is also expected during the peak — Aug. 12 into the 13th — and will likely wash out the view.
“A few bright meteors may still be seen in the predawn hours, but viewing conditions are not ideal,” NASA said.
If you still want to try to catch a glimpse, here’s what to know.
Best viewing conditions
This year, the Perseids began on July 17, and it will be visible until Aug. 23, NASA says. In an hour, one could see about 25 meteors. Characteristics of the Perseids include bright fireballs and long “wakes,” the streak of light and color that follow meteors.
While NASA recommends trying to catch a glimpse of the Perseids before dawn, you may be able to see some meteors as early as 10 p.m. They are most visible in the Northern Hemisphere.
Robert Lunsford, an observer with the American Meteor Society, recommends facing north and settling in.
“Don’t go outside and stand,” he said. “You’ll get really tired and bored quick. Get a nice lounge chair where you’re comfortable.”
And be patient.
“Sometimes you go 10, 15 minutes without seeing anything, and all of a sudden, four or five will show up in the same minute. So they’re notorious for appearing in bunches like that,” he said.
Where do they come from?
As comets orbit the sun, they leave a trail of dust and particles, including meteors, behind them. The Perseids meteors originate from the Swift-Tuttle comet, which has a nucleus of about 16 miles wide, and takes more than 130 years to circle the Sun.
The Swift-Tuttle comet last entered the solar system in 1992, during which observers could see about 200 meteors per hour. The comet leaves such a mess of debris when it comes, we’re able to catch the Perseids every year, Lunsford said.
The Perseids is the most popular of the meteor showers, according to NASA. And while it’s not the strongest, people gravitate to it because it happens in the summer, Lunsford said.
“Most of the other strong meteors occur in the late autumn or early winter, and it is really frigid outside. So that’s the bigger reason,” he said.
Rick Davies, singer and co-founder of Supertramp, has died
The British musician co-founded the rock band Supertramp, which spurred hits like "Give A Little Bit" and "The Logical Song" in the 1970s.
Rupert Murdoch buys out 3 of his kids, cementing his conservative media empire
The owner of Fox News, the Wall Street Journal and dozens of other media properties has settled a legal fight with three of his own children over who would control his companies after his death.
Estate of Jeffrey Epstein gives Congress ‘birthday book’ allegedly signed by Trump
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said the book included a tawdry drawing and note that appeared to include President Trump's signature. Trump had previously denied its existence.
DHS launches immigration crackdowns in Chicago, Boston
These announcements by DHS are just the latest escalation of federal action in U.S. cities including Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. — all led by Democrats.
New teen thriller ‘Sisters in the Wind’ finds drama in hidden identities
Angeline Boulley, author of the hit Firekeeper's Daughter, writes thrillers set in Native American communities in northern Michigan, like the ones where her family has lived for generations.
Christoph Von Dohnányi, longtime conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, has died
Known for his intellectual and illuminating touch on the podium, the refined conductor was also surprisingly outspoken when it came to politics and his peers.
