Perseids meteor shower expected to peak Aug. 12-13 with up to 100 meteors per hour
The annual Perseids meteor shower will reach its peak on Aug. 12-13, offering observers in the Northern Hemisphere a chance to see 50-100 meteors per hour under dark skies.
The Perseids meteor shower, which runs from mid-July to late August, is forecast to reach its maximum activity on Aug. 12 and 13, according to the American Meteor Society. NASA estimates that a clear, dark sky could reveal between 50 and 100 meteors per hour during the peak.
The shower originates from debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle, a 16-mile-wide body that orbits the Sun every 133 years. When Earth passes through this debris trail, particles burn up in the atmosphere, creating visible streaks.
Astronomers recommend viewing the Perseids from the Northern Hemisphere during the predawn hours, though the display can be seen throughout the night. Observers should face the constellation Perseus in the northern sky, lie on their backs away from artificial lighting, and allow about 30 minutes for their eyes to adapt to darkness.
NASA notes that larger particles can produce brighter, longer-lasting fireballs, which are more prominent than typical meteors.