This year has certainly been an star gazer’s dream.
Photo Source: Jimmy Westlake, NASA, 2009
Venus was visible to the naked eye, there was a blue moon, and let’s not forget the New Horizons’ findings on Pluto.
Now there’s one more thing to get excited about.
The annual spectacular Perseid meteor shower is on its way.
Nasa even says that it’s a must see. “If you see one meteor shower this year, make it August’s Perseids.”
Even 133 years, the Swift-Tuttle comet makes its way through our solar system and leaves behind a dust trail. The Earth then passes through it. The dust cloud specks hit its atmosphere and this causes the Perseid meteor shower (every year between July 17 and August 24).
Between August 9 and August 14, there is an optimum window to see the meteor shower at its most visible. August 11 is the day in that window to get out in the early hours of the morning to see the absolute pinnacle of the meteor shower.
Binocular or telescopes aren’t needed and there’s no moonlight during the peak. This is one of the best years to view it.
Bruce McClure of EarthSky.org says not to rush the process.
“Remember, your eyes can take as long as 20 minutes to truly adapt to the darkness of night.”