Latest news with #CometSwiftTuttle
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Perseid meteor shower to light up August sky with fiery display
Local stargazers, mark your calendars — one of the most spectacular sky shows of the year is about to happen. 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@ or on X as @ToddKarpovich. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
One of the Best Meteor Showers of 2025 Is About to Begin—and It Can Be Seen Across the U.S.
The Perseid meteor shower peaks the night of Aug. 12 into the early hours of Aug. 13, with up to 100 meteors per hour visible, especially in dark-sky areas across the of the best shooting star displays of the year is coming to a sky near you. The annual Perseid meteor shower is visible across most of the U.S. from mid-July to late August. This year, the meteor shower is expected to peak on the night of Aug. 12 and before dawn on Aug. 13. According to to catch the shower's peak, you should start observing the night skies around 11 p.m. local time on Aug. 12 when the rates of shooting stars increase. The peak display will continue until dawn on Aug. 13. During this viewing window, you can expect to see an average of up to 100 meteors per hour. The Perseids meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through debris (bits of ice and rock) left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, a comet that is also the largest known object to repeatedly pass by Earth. The comet debris moves at around 133,200 mph in space and is typically the size of a grain of sand. The fragments become visible when they enter the atmosphere and burn up in a bright burst of light, streaking through the sky. Although the debris enters the Earth's atmosphere, it rarely hits the ground. The Perseid meteor shower is most easily seen from the Northern Hemisphere, but is also visible in the mid-southern latitudes. Although it can technically be viewed from anywhere in the U.S., the meteor shower is much easier to see in dark-sky destinations where there is less light pollution. It is also helpful to find somewhere where the sky is wide and open since buildings and mountains can obscure the view. No telescopes or binoculars are needed to see the Persied meteor shower, but recommends giving your eyes 30 minutes to adjust to the dark. It also helps to know where the meteors will come from. According to NASA, the meteor shower radiates from the Perseus constellation, which follows the easier-to-find Cassiopeia constellation across the night sky. If you can find Perseus, you'll know where the meteors will streak across the sky during the celestial event's peak. The Perseid meteor shower occurs annually in August, however in 2028, the shower is expected to evolve into a storm that will be even more spectacular than the standard, annual event. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
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Travel + Leisure
7 days ago
- Science
- Travel + Leisure
One of the Best Meteor Showers of the Year Is About to Begin—and It Can Be Seen Across the U.S.
The Perseid meteor shower peaks the night of Aug. 12 into the early hours of Aug. 13, with up to 100 meteors per hour visible, especially in dark-sky areas across the U.S. One of the best shooting star displays of the year is coming to a sky near you. The annual Perseid meteor shower is visible across most of the U.S. from mid-July to late August. This year, the meteor shower is expected to peak on the night of Aug. 12 and before dawn on Aug. 13. According to to catch the shower's peak, you should start observing the night skies around 11 p.m. local time on Aug. 12 when the rates of shooting stars increase. The peak display will continue until dawn on Aug. 13. During this viewing window, you can expect to see an average of up to 100 meteors per hour. The Perseids meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through debris (bits of ice and rock) left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, a comet that is also the largest known object to repeatedly pass by Earth. The comet debris moves at around 133,200 mph in space and is typically the size of a grain of sand. The fragments become visible when they enter the atmosphere and burn up in a bright burst of light, streaking through the sky. Although the debris enters the Earth's atmosphere, it rarely hits the ground. The Perseid meteor shower is most easily seen from the Northern Hemisphere, but is also visible in the mid-southern latitudes. Although it can technically be viewed from anywhere in the U.S., the meteor shower is much easier to see in dark-sky destinations where there is less light pollution. It is also helpful to find somewhere where the sky is wide and open since buildings and mountains can obscure the view. No telescopes or binoculars are needed to see the Persied meteor shower, but recommends giving your eyes 30 minutes to adjust to the dark. It also helps to know where the meteors will come from. According to NASA, the meteor shower radiates from the Perseus constellation, which follows the easier-to-find Cassiopeia constellation across the night sky. If you can find Perseus, you'll know where the meteors will streak across the sky during the celestial event's peak. The Perseid meteor shower occurs annually in August, however in 2028, the shower is expected to evolve into a storm that will be even more spectacular than the standard, annual event.
