Perseids meteor shower set to peak mid-August, NASA advises optimal viewing tips
The annual Perseids meteor shower will reach its maximum activity on Aug. 12-13, with NASA recommending dark, low-light-pollution sites for observation.
The Perseids meteor shower, which occurs each year from mid-July to late August, is expected to reach its peak between Aug. 12 and 13, according to the American Meteor Society. NASA notes that under clear, dark conditions the shower can produce 50 to 100 visible meteors per hour.
The meteors originate from debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle, a 16-mile-wide body that circles the Sun every 133 years. Larger particles create bright fireballs that linger longer than typical streaks.
Astronomers recommend viewing the shower from the Northern Hemisphere during pre-dawn hours, though it is visible throughout the night. Observers should face the constellation Perseus in the northern sky, where the meteors appear to radiate.
"For the best experience, lie on your back in a dark area away from artificial light and allow about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust," NASA advises.