Perseid meteor shower to light up August sky with fiery display
The Perseid meteor shower, known for its display of fast, bright meteors, will reach its peak activity around Aug. 12-13, offering viewers a chance to witness from 50 to 100 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, according to NASA.
The Perseids are popular among amateur astronomers and casual sky watchers. Occurring during warm nights in the Northern Hemisphere, NASA astronomers predict the conditions are often perfect for lying back and enjoying the view.
The meteors are known for their swift, vivid streaks that frequently leave behind glowing trails of light and color as they burn through Earth's atmosphere.
Adding to the spectacle are fireballs — exceptionally bright meteors that are larger and more dramatic than the typical streak. These fireballs often last longer and shine brighter, thanks to their origins in larger fragments of space debris. Their brightness can even exceed that of the planet Venus, lighting up the sky in brief, fiery flashes.
The annual meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through the debris trail left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, a massive comet with a nucleus measuring about 16 miles across — nearly twice the size of the asteroid that is believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, NASA scientists said.
The comet last swept through the inner solar system in 1992 and won't return until 2126.
While the Perseids are visible from mid-July to late August, the best viewing is expected during the pre-dawn hours of Aug. 12 and 13.
Meteors, however can sometimes be spotted as early as 10 p.m., especially in darker areas away from city lights. For optimal viewing, find a clear, dark sky and look toward the northeast — although meteors can appear in any part of the sky.
The Perseids get their name from the constellation Perseus, where their radiant — or apparent point of origin — is located. But it's important to note: The constellation isn't the source of the meteors, just a celestial marker to help identify the shower.
Stargazers can grab a blanket, head outside, and look up. The Perseids could be one of the most thrilling night-sky events of the year with no telescope required.
On Nov. 12, the Baltimore region got a glimpse of a meteor falling around 7:45 p.m., according to reports filed with the American Meteor Society. A video of the light streaking across the sky was captured and posted to the social media platform X.
The meteor could also be seen in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, according to reports sent to the American Meteor Society.
Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X as @ToddKarpovich.
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