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Perseid meteor shower to peak tonight: When and how to see it from India
Skywatchers across India have a rare treat in store this week as the Perseid meteor shower, one of the year's most spectacular celestial events, reaches its peak overnight from August 12 to for producing fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs, this annual shower consistently fascinates astronomers and stargazers Perseids occur each year as Earth passes through debris left by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. As the cometary fragments slam into Earth's atmosphere at speeds of up to 59km/sec, they burn up and create glowing streaks across the sky, delighting viewers with up to 100 meteors per hour in ideal TO SEE IT IN INDIA?
The shower's activity will be at its highest during the pre-dawn hours of Thursday, August 14, especially between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM. However, eager viewers may catch glimpses of meteors as early as 10:00 PM on August 13, with the frequency ramping up through the year, skywatchers must contend with a bright waning gibbous Moon, which is expected to wash out fainter meteors and reduce average visibility to 15–25 meteors per hour, rather than the full 100 of dark-sky this, the Perseids remain visible with the naked eye, especially from locations with minimal light pollution.
The Perseids occur each year as Earth passes through debris left by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. (Photo: Getty)
HOW TO WATCH PERSEIDS METEOR SHOWERChoose a Dark Spot: Leave city lights behind, rural locations or out-of-town terraces are Comfortable: Bring a blanket or chair and dress for pre-dawn Patient: Let your eyes adjust for at least 15–20 minutes in the dark. Avoid Up and North: The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, just below Cassiopeia in the northeast, but meteors can flash across any part of the Local Weather: Clear, moonless skies will greatly improve your with fewer visible meteors due to moonlight, the Perseids are set to offer an enthralling cosmic display for those willing to sacrifice a night's those unable to travel or contend with cloudy skies, live streams such as the Virtual Telescope Project will offer online viewing alternatives.- Ends
