Latest news with #AmericanMeteorSociety
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Perseid meteor shower brings celestial fireballs to Tennessee. Here's the best time to view
With broiling temperatures during the day, maybe it's time to plan a cooler nighttime excursion. Say, watching the popular Perseid meteor shower? Backyard astronomers and stargazers can look to the night sky for the next several weeks to watch the prolific Perseid meteor shower. The celestial fire show started on July 17, but the meteor shower is almost a month long. "The Perseids, which peak in mid-August, are considered the best meteor shower of the year," according to NASA. "With swift and bright meteors, Perseids frequently leave long 'wakes' of light and color behind them as they streak through Earth's atmosphere." Usually, this fairly prolific celestial show is a fiery sight producing large, bright meteors during peak viewing, but for 2025 that light will be dimmed due to the moon. Here's what to know. When is the peak of the Perseid meteor shower? The Perseid meteor shower will peak on the night of Aug. 12 into the early morning of Aug. 13. How many meteors can be expected during Perseid's peak? People can expect to see 50 to 75 meteors per hour under ideal conditions during the peak, according to the American Meteor Society. The large, bright meteors, usually referred to as fireballs, won't be as spectacular this year due to how close the Perseid peak is to the August full moon. When is the next full moon? August's full moon, known as the Sturgeon moon, reaches peak at 3:55 a.m. ET/2:55 CT on Aug. 9. When is the best time to watch the Perseid meteor shower in Tennessee? Stargazers can catch the meteor shower between midnight and dawn, according to the society. The Perseid meteor shower can be seen anywhere with a clear sky and not a lot of light pollution. Considering the peak is just a few days after the full moon, a good day to have a great view happens on July 24. That's when the new moon rises, according to the Farmers' Almanac. If you are looking for a different experience, multiple Tennessee state parks are holding a couple of nighttime events for the peak of the meteor shower. You can find information on night hikes and viewing events across the Volunteer State. Some of the events do cost to participate. Night hike at Burgess Falls State Park Viewing at Burgess Falls State Park Kayak float at Old Fort When is the last night of the Perseid meteor shower? The Perseid meteor shower ends on Aug. 21 USA TODAY contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Perseid meteor shower: Here's where, when to view celestial fireballs Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
18 hours ago
- Science
- Newsweek
Map Shows Best States For Spotting Meteors, Asteroids
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A recent study by U.S. sports betting media company The Action Network has analyzed which parts of the country present the best opportunities for stargazers hoping to spot an asteroid. How It Was Calculated The Action Network said it developed a scoring system to estimate where in the U.S. viewers were most likely to witness a fireball or asteroid event, using four weighted factors. The most significant was dark-sky quality (40 percent), assessed using Bortle Scale data, which measures sky darkness on a scale from one to nine, with one indicating the darkest skies possible. States with the darkest skies received higher scores. Average elevation contributed 25 percent to the score, as higher altitudes offer thinner air and less atmospheric interference—ideal conditions for celestial visibility, the study said. It also factored in fireball sightings reported in 2025 (20 percent) using data from the American Meteor Society, operating on the assumption that past activity is a good indicator of future events. The final factor was the number of astronomical observatories in each state (15 percent), counted via More observatories suggest greater public engagement and infrastructure for skywatching, The Action Network said. What To Know California ranked first in the U.S. for asteroid spotting potential. It boasts the highest possible darkness score, with seven Bortle 1 sites and 32 Bortle 2 sites—making it ideal for clear, dark-sky viewing, according to the report. With an average elevation of 2,900 feet, 49 fireball reports in 2025 (among the nation's highest), and 45 observatories across the state, California combines optimal viewing conditions with a strong network of observational resources. Colorado ranked second in the study, thanks to its high elevation and dark skies. The state had an average elevation of 6,800 feet—the highest among the top 10 states—as well as two Bortle 1 sites, 17 Bortle 2 sites, and 28 fireball reports so far this year, The Action Network said. Oregon also ranked highly for asteroid spotting thanks to its low light pollution and distribution of dark-sky areas. The Beaver State features seven Bortle 1 sites and 25 Bortle 2 locations, an average elevation of 3,300 feet, 22 fireball reports in 2025, and four observatories, according to the study. What People Are Saying A spokesperson for The Action Network told Newsweek: "Delaware and New Jersey ranked lowest in our study primarily due to widespread light pollution and low average elevation, both of which limit night-sky visibility. While both states recorded a handful of fireball reports in 2025, actually spotting these events with the naked eye is much harder given the lack of truly dark, elevated vantage points." "Neither state has any Bortle 1 or 2 zones, the gold standard for stargazing, whereas higher-ranked states like New Mexico sit at an average elevation of 5,700 feet. At higher altitudes, there's less atmospheric moisture and dust, which means clearer, crisper skies for observing meteors, fireballs, and other cosmic activity. That natural clarity gives elevated states a big advantage when it comes to asteroid spotting." What Happens Next For those eager to witness another spectacular aerial event—the northern lights—the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) regularly provides forecasts indicating where the phenomenon is most likely to be visible.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Full moon could disrupt peak views of popular meteors. When to watch the Perseids
Stargazers, you'll soon have a chance to glimpse the year's most popular meteor shower streaking over Michigan skies, but the full moon could get in the way. The annual Perseids will peak in mid-August, leaving bursts of light and color up above as meteors whiz by throughout the night in the best meteor shower of 2025, according to NASA. However, you may want to plan for viewing on alternate days during the meteor shower to avoid any disruptions from the sturgeon moon, experts advise. Be sure to also keep a lookout for clear, dark, night skies to observe the Perseids. Here's what to know. When do the Perseids peak? The Perseid meteor shower will peak on the night of Aug. 12 overnight into the early morning hours of Aug. 13, per What else will be in August skies? The sturgeon moon will peak Aug. 9. What is the Perseid meteor shower? The Perseids is a strong, fast meteor shower featuring about 50 to 100 meteors per hour, per NASA. Bright meteors and fireballs, very bright meteors, frequently streak across the night sky, creating a path of light and color overhead. The meteors appear to come from the area of the constellation Perseus in the sky, NASA says, though the meteors can be seen in any part of the night sky, per the American Meteor Society. How will the full moon impact viewing chances? In 2025, the shower's peak will not meet these ideal conditions because the moon will be too bright, Robert Lunsford, the American Meteor Society's newsletter editor and fireball report coordinator, told USA TODAY. This year's peak will occur just three days after the full moon. When can you get a better glimpse of the Perseids? A good day to view the Perseid meteor shower is Thursday, July 24. That's when the new moon is, according to the Old Farmers' Almanac. This will make the night skies darker and optimal for stargazing. One of the best days to see meteors is on Wednesday, July 30, because two other meteor showers, alpha Capricornids and Southern delta Aquariids, will be happening at the same time, according to Lunsford. "With the moon bothering the Perseids this year, the last couple of days of July might be a good opportunity to see some meteors without any moon," Lunsford said. What causes the Perseids? Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through dusty debris trails left by comets and broken asteroid bits as they orbit the sun, NASA says. The debris collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky. The meteors in the Perseid meteor shower come from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, a large comet discovered by American astronomers Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle in 1862, per NASA. Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli uncovered the comet as the source of the Perseids in 1865. When is the best time to view the Perseids? The best time to watch the Perseids in the Northern Hemisphere is in the predawn hours, though meteors may be visible as early as 10 p.m., the space agency says. How can you see the Perseids in Michigan? To ensure the best chance of viewing this meteor shower, here are a few things the American Meteor Society, USA TODAY, BBC Sky at Night Magazine and recommend: Go to a dark area away from light pollution. Allow about 30 minutes to let your eyes adjust to the dark. Bring a deck chair or reclining chair to sit comfortably as you watch the meteors. Select an open viewing area for an unobstructed look at the sky. Avoid looking at phones or bright lights. Keep your eyes up on the sky to catch fast meteors, visible for a second or two as they whizz through the sky. Dress comfortably, warm for cold nights and bring a blanket. Keep a hot drink, water and snacks and bug spray with you. Where can you watch the Perseids in Michigan? Look for a clear, open area to view the meteors in Michigan's skies. Keep an eye on the weather forecast closer to the peak to find out local viewing chances. Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary. The Alpena area has three Dark Sky Preserves: Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park and Negwegon State Park. In Mackinaw City, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, 15675 Headlands Road. In Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front St. In Munising, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. In Paradise, the Great Lakes Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station, 18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park at 41382 W. M-123. In Port Austin, Port Crescent State Park, 1775 Port Austin Road. In Clayton, Lake Hudson Recreation Area, 5505 Morey Hwy. In Carp Lake, Wilderness State Park, 903 Wilderness Park Drive. Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Keweenaw County and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County are international spots. And, finally, the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area is an international sanctuary. When did the Perseids begin? The Perseid meteor shower began activity July 17 per NASA. When will the Perseids end? The Perseid meteor shower will end Aug. 23, NASA says. How did the Perseid meteor shower get its name? The name Perseid meteor shower or Perseids comes from the Greek Perseidai, or sons of Perseus, referring to Greek mythology, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Meteor, meteorites, meteoroids — which is it? Those are words that sound similar, but there are important differences. Meteoroid: A body in space. Asteroids are larger rocks in space, but there's no official distinction. Meteor: A body passing through the atmosphere. If the meteor is large enough to show some dimensions or sparks, it's often called a fireball. Meteorite: A meteor that survives the fall to the Earth's surface. Meteor shower: When we see a lot of meteors streaking across the sky in a small amount of time, usually a matter of a few days. When is the next meteor shower in 2025? The Orionids will be active Oct. 2 to Nov. 12, peaking Oct. 22-23, according to the American Meteor Society. USA TODAY contributed. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How to see Perseids in Michigan, avoid full moon impact Solve the daily Crossword
CNET
2 days ago
- Science
- CNET
Bright Fireballs in the Skies: Catch the Perseids Meteor Shower This Week
Skygazers have a lot to look forward to over the next month. A couple of dueling meteor showers are gracing the skies later this month, and they will be joined by perhaps the most popular meteor shower of the year: the Perseids meteor shower. Perseids are known for their bright fireballs and plentiful meteors. The show started on July 17, and will run through Aug. 23. The reason the Perseids meteor shower is so popular is twofold. First, it takes place in the summer, so going outside and watching it is less uncomfortable than other large meteor showers like Quadrantids, which takes place in wintery January. The other reason is that it's one of the most active meteor showers of the year. During its peak, the meteor shower is known to spit as many as 100 meteors on average, according to the American Meteor Society. These not only include your typical shooting stars, but also a higher chance for fireballs, which are meteors that explode as they enter orbit. Per NASA, fireballs tend to last longer than standard shooting stars and can come in a variety of different colors. Perseids come to Earth courtesy of the 109P/Swift-Tuttle comet. Earth's orbit around the sun brings it through Swift-Tuttle's tail every year. The comet itself takes 133 years to orbit the sun. Its last perihelion -- the point at which it's the closest to the sun -- was in 1992. It won't be back until the year 2125. Until then, it leaves behind an excellent tail of dust and debris to feed us yearly meteor showers. How to watch the Perseids meteor shower The best time to view the Perseids is during its peak, which occurs on the evenings of Aug. 12 and 13. During this time, the shower will produce anywhere from 25 to 100 meteors per hour on average. However, since the shower officially lasts for over a month, you have a chance to see a shooting star on any given evening, provided that you're far enough away from light pollution. Thus, if you're planning on watching this year's Perseids during their peak, you'll want to get out of the city and suburbs as far as possible. According to Bill Cooke, lead of NASA's Meteoroid Environments Office, folks in the city might see one or two meteors from the meteor shower per hour, which is pocket change compared to what those outside city limits might see. Regardless, once you've arrived at wherever you want to watch the meteors, you'll want to direct your attention to the radiant, or the point at which the meteors will appear to originate. Like all meteors, Perseids are named after the constellation from which they appear. In this case, it's Perseus. Per Stellarium's free sky map, Perseus will rise from the northeastern horizon across the continental US on the evenings of Aug. 12 and 13. It'll then rise into the eastern sky, where it'll remain until after sunrise. So, in short, point yourself due east and you should be OK. Binoculars may help, but we recommend against telescopes since they'll restrict your view of the sky to a very small portion, which may hinder your meteor-sighting efforts. The American Meteor Society also notes that the moon may give viewers some difficulty. Perseids' peak occurs just three days after August's full moon, so the moon will still be mostly full. Thus, it is highly probable that light pollution from the moon may reduce the number of visible meteors by a hefty margin, depending on how things go.
NBC News
4 days ago
- Science
- NBC News
This summer, the sky comes alive with shooting stars. What you need to know about ongoing meteor showers.
Three different meteor showers are happening at the same time this month, giving skywatchers plenty of chances to spend their summer nights looking for shooting stars. The annual alpha Capricornids, the Southern delta Aquariids and the Perseid meteor showers are all currently active, with each celestial show set to last through mid-August. Here's what to know about these meteor showers, and where and how you can spot shooting stars. The alpha Capricornids The alpha Capricornids and the Southern delta Aquariids will peak in activity at the end of this month, overnight from July 29 to 30, while the Perseids — often considered the best and most reliable shooting star display — will ramp up to its peak next month. Skywatchers will likely encounter mostly favorable conditions for catching meteor showers this July, according to the American Meteor Society. The alpha Capricornids meteor shower is not typically a strong display, but it can produce a number of bright fireballs while active. At its height, the meteor shower can produce around five shooting stars per hour under dark skies and clear conditions, according to the American Meteor Society. The shower gets its name because the meteors appear to stream from the constellation of Capricorn. During this year's peak, the moon will be only 27% full, offering people on either side of the equator a chance to catch the celestial show. The alpha Capricornids meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through clouds of dust particles and debris from the comet 169P/NEAT, which completes one orbit around the sun every 4.2 years. As pieces of debris hit the planet's atmosphere and vaporize, they create bright streaks of light that sometimes leave behind bright trails. The Southern delta Aquariids The Southern delta Aquariids, as their name suggests, are best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere. This meteor shower is capable of producing up to 25 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, but the shooting stars are typically fainter. Southern delta Aquariids can be tricky to spot, according to NASA, but the best chances this year will likely be in the early morning hours. The meteor shower is thought to be caused by pieces of the comet 96P/Machholz, which completes one orbit around the sun every 5.2 years. The Perseids Finally, the Perseids meteor shower is underway and is expected to peak overnight from Aug. 12 to 13. The Perseids are usually one of the most highly anticipated skywatching events of the year because the meteor shower occurs during warm summer months in the Northern Hemisphere and it typically delivers a high rate of shooting stars. Under ideal conditions, the Perseids can produce as many as 100 shooting stars per hour. This year, however, the moon will be around 84% full, which will likely wash out meteors and 'severely compromise this shower at the time of maximum activity,' according to the American Meteor Society. 'Such conditions will reduce activity by at least 75% as only the brighter meteors will be visible,' the society said in its forecast. The Perseids shower occurs when Earth passes through a cloud of dust particles and debris left over from a comet known as 109P/Swift-Tuttle.
