The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most popular annual skywatching events, is set to reach its peak on the night of August 12 into the early hours of August 13. The Perseids occur as Earth passes through a stream of dust and debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. As these tiny particles enter our atmosphere at tremendous speed, they burn up and create the bright streaks of light we call meteors. The shower is active from mid-July through late August, but the peak period offers the greatest chance to see large numbers of meteors, with bright fireballs and long luminous trails among its most memorable features.
For the best viewing experience, head to a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes about 20 minutes to adapt to the darkness. No telescope or binoculars are needed; in fact, the naked eye is best because meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. While the meteors seem to radiate from the constellation Perseus in the northeastern sky, it's better to look broadly overhead rather than focusing on a single point. The most productive viewing hours are typically between midnight and dawn, when your location on Earth faces directly into the meteor stream. This year's viewing conditions are especially favorable because the peak occurs near a new moon, meaning little to no moonlight will interfere with the display.
So, watch the partial eclipse of the sun during the day and the Perseids at night.
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