A Perseid meteor shoots past the constellation Cassiopeia in this image from 2019. Photo by Kulish Kateryna
The Perseid meteor shower is considered one of the best of the year. But even the best meteor shower can be overwhelmed by light pollution, moonlight or bad weather.
This year we are fortunate the bright moonlight will not be an issue. With the new moon on Aug. 16, the moon will be a thin waning crescent in the morning sky during this meteor shower.
The peak of this shower will come between midnight and dawn on Aug. 13. But this shower has a broad peak, and it is active the whole weekend from the night of Aug. 11 through Aug. 13. The best time to view for all three days will be between midnight and dawn.
The Perseids are caused by bits of dust from Comet Swift-Tuttle. This comet was first discovered in 1862 and orbits the sun every 133 years. It last made an appearance in 1992. Every time it completes an orbit it is laying down a fresh supply of dust that the Earth encounters every year in mid-August.
The best time to view the Perseid meteor shower is between midnight and dawn on Aug. 11-13. Meteors will come from the constellation Perseus, but can appear in any part of the sky. bPhoto courtesy of Starrynight
The meteors in this shower come from the constellation Perseus. Although Perseus is rising in the northeastern sky around midnight, you don’t need to face that direction. Meteors are coming out of this portion of the sky but can appear anywhere. So, the best thing to do is face whatever part of the sky is clearest and darkest for you.
Being near city lights will greatly reduce your viewing. Light pollution is increasing at an alarming rate: In its most recent report published last month, DarkSky International makes note that light pollution is doubling every eight years. Even strong meteor showers can be reduced to a trickle by bright lights, so try to find a dark spot for viewing.
Kevin D. Conod is the Planetarium Astronomer at the County College of Morris and president of the North Jersey Astronomical Group.
