Latest news with #Perseids
Forbes
20 hours ago
- Science
- Forbes
Why This Weekend May Be The Best Time To See The Perseid Meteor Shower
The annual Perseid meteor shower may have peaked overnight on Monday and Tuesday, but it did so in a night sky bleached by strong moonlight that blotted out many of the fainter 'shooting stars.' Although the peak rate of meteors has since reduced, a darker sky this weekend may mean lingering Perseids are visible at night. The annual Perseid meteor shower peaked earlier this week, but the waning gibbous moon moves out of the evening sky this weekend, potentially making more meteors visible. . (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) VCG via Getty Images The Perseid meteor shower, one of the highlights of the stargazing calendar, can produce up to 75 'shooting stars' per hour in a dark, moonless night sky. The 84%-lit waning gibbous moon, which lessened the Perseids' impact on Monday night, will have reduced in brightness by the weekend and will rise around midnight, creating a window of moonless darkness beforehand. The radiant point of the Perseids is the constellation Perseus, which, from the Northern Hemisphere, rises in the northeast as the sky darkens during August. However, 'shooting stars' can be seen anywhere in the night sky. The Perseid meteor shower is caused by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which takes 133 years to orbit the sun and hasn't been in the inner solar system since 1992. At 16 miles (26 kilometers) across, it's bigger than the object that killed the dinosaurs, according to NASA. The best advice for viewing the most meteor showers is to escape from light pollution by using a light pollution map or by heading to a certified Dark Sky Place — be sure to check the weather forecast for a clear sky. According to NASA, the best way to observe a meteor shower is to find a location with a clear view of the night sky. Have warm layers, bug spray, snacks, drinks, and plenty of patience. Don't look at a smartphone — its light will remove your night vision for at least 20 minutes. When To See The Perseids And The Pleiades If you're outside after dark looking for Perseids on Friday, Aug. 15 and Saturday, Aug. 16, watch for the moon to rise in the east. It will be positioned very close to the Pleiades, also known as M45, one of the most beautiful sights in the night sky. An open cluster of stars about 445 light-years from the solar system, the Pleiades looks fabulous with the naked eye. However, using binoculars reveals many more stars arranged in a shape that resembles a mini Big Dipper. If you stay up into the early hours this weekend, you'll see the best of the 'planet parade' currently in the news. Jupiter and Venus are easily visible, rising in the east, while Saturn is located in the south. Just before the light of dawn begins to overwhelm the planets, a fourth will appear due east — Mercury. Although it's been technically in the night sky for a few days, it's this weekend when it becomes easiest to see, though only for a few mornings before it's once again lost in the sun's glare. Further Reading Forbes See The Perseid Meteor Shower Now Before It Peaks, Experts Say By Jamie Carter Forbes The Perseid Meteor Shower Begins Thursday: When To See It At Its Best By Jamie Carter Forbes The Perseid Meteor Shower Begins Thursday: When To See It At Its Best By Jamie Carter
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Science
- Toronto Star
A strange light appeared the night sky over southern Ontario on Tuesday. Here's what experts say it was
People gather in the Abu Dhabi desert to look the stars on the night of the Perseids meteor shower, early on Aug. 13. GIUSEPPE CACACE AFP via Getty Im
Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Science
- Indianapolis Star
Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak: See photos of the dazzling show
The Perseid meteor shower reached its peak, and stunning photos captured moments of the meteor shower around the world. "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." Summer's popular meteor shower began on July 17, and will continue until the end of August. But, the night of Tuesday, Aug. 12 is when the shower peaked, meaning it was when the most meteorites, or shooting stars, could be seen streaking across the sky. Usually, during its peak, there will be up to 50 to 75 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, according to the American Meteor Society. The meteor shower is also known to produce very bright meteors, often referred to as fireballs. However, in 2025, the showers' peak would 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, previously told USA TODAY. Fortunately, the less-than-perfect conditions didn't stop people from going to capture photos of the Perseids and the gorgeous night sky. People feeling a bit of FOMO can still catch a glimpse of the meteor shower over the weekend. While they may not see as many shooting stars, people can still catch the dazzling show until the meteor shower ends on Aug. 23.
USA Today
a day ago
- Science
- USA Today
Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak: See photos of the dazzling show
The Perseid meteor shower reached its peak, and stunning photos captured moments of the meteor shower around the world. "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." Summer's popular meteor shower began on July 17, and will continue until the end of August. But, the night of Tuesday, Aug. 12 is when the shower peaked, meaning it was when the most meteorites, or shooting stars, could be seen streaking across the sky. Less than ideal conditions to see meteor showers Usually, during its peak, there will be up to 50 to 75 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, according to the American Meteor Society. The meteor shower is also known to produce very bright meteors, often referred to as fireballs. However, in 2025, the showers' peak would 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, previously told USA TODAY. Fortunately, the less-than-perfect conditions didn't stop people from going to capture photos of the Perseids and the gorgeous night sky. People feeling a bit of FOMO can still catch a glimpse of the meteor shower over the weekend. While they may not see as many shooting stars, people can still catch the dazzling show until the meteor shower ends on Aug. 23. See photos of the the Perseid meteor shower Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Perseids meteor shower tonight: Here's how to watch rare sight and Northern Lights
The night sky promises an extraordinary display tonight, August 13, as one of the year's brightest meteor showers, the Perseids, coincides with possible sightings of the northern lights. The Perseids, known for their fast and brilliant fireballs, are caused by debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle burning up in Earth's atmosphere. At the same time, auroral activity may occur thanks to ongoing solar winds interacting with Earth's magnetic field, reported People. Where and when to watch the Perseids and Northern Lights. (Owen Humphreys/PA) When to watch the Perseids According to another CNN report, the Perseids peaked earlier on Tuesday afternoon, but the best viewing opportunities come tonight in the early hours of Wednesday. There are two main windows for catching meteors: Evening Window (Aug. 12–13): Between dusk and moonrise, there's roughly an hour of darker skies before the bright waning gibbous moon rises. Pre-Dawn Window (Aug. 13): The last couple of hours before sunrise offer another chance. While the moon will still be bright, the most luminous meteors can be spotted by facing north toward the constellation Perseus. This year's full moon glow will limit visibility to around 10-20 meteors per hour instead of the usual 40-50, but bright fireballs will still stand out, the CNN report added. Also read: Atlas may not be a typical comet, could be alien mission, says Harvard physicist When and where to see the Northern Lights The People report cited NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, solar wind streams from multiple coronal holes are boosting auroral potential with the Kp index expected to reach about 3.67. While the chance of a minor G1 geomagnetic storm is slowly declining, northern regions like Alaska and northern Canada could see shimmering auroras tonight if the skies are dark and clear. Other celestial sights tonight In addition to meteors and auroras, skywatchers can spot Venus and Jupiter, which are still close after a conjunction, shining brightly in the eastern sky before sunrise, the CNN report stated. Saturn will also be rising before midnight near the moon, which will add to the night's spectacle. Viewing tips Find a dark site far away from city lights. Your eyes will need nearly half an hour to get accustomed to the dark environment. Look north for auroras; celestial objects around 40° over Perseus herald meteor activity. Make sure you are dressed for the cold and bring a blanket or chair. Be patient, as the very best shows can take their time. FAQs What causes the Perseids? They are fragments from Comet Swift-Tuttle burning up in Earth's atmosphere at high speeds. Why is the meteor count lower this year? The bright moonlight washes out fainter meteors. Where can I see the northern lights? Best chances are in far northern regions such as Alaska and northern Canada. When is the next big meteor shower? The Orionids, peaking October 22–23, will be the next major celestial event.
