Perseid meteor shower peaks Aug. 12-13 with up to 100 meteors per hour in Oregon
The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak on Aug. 12-13, offering 50-100 meteors per hour and bright fireballs, with dark skies aided by a new moon. OMSI and NASA host viewing events in Oregon.
The Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak on the night of Aug. 12-13, delivering an estimated 50 to 100 meteors per hour, including bright fireballs that can appear as bright as magnitude -3. The timing coincides with a new moon, which will keep the sky darker and improve visibility.
The meteors are caused by Earth passing through debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle, and they appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus. The shower began in mid-July, but observers are advised that the best viewing window is after midnight on the two peak nights.
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will hold free public watch parties at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park and Rooster Rock State Park on Aug. 12. The events, organized with Rose City Astronomers and Oregon Parks and Recreation, will provide telescopes for use, though binoculars are not required to see the meteors.
For those preferring to stay indoors, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center will stream a live meteor-shower watch party on its YouTube channel at 9 p.m. PDT on Aug. 12.
"The Perseids are considered one of the best meteor showers of the year," NASA said.
Viewers across the northern hemisphere should be able to see the display, provided they find a dark location away from city lights.