As a kid, I was fascinated with everything related to space. One of the things I loved the most was the Perseid meteor shower that happened every August. Even now, I am mesmerized by the stunning display of fiery lights in the sky every summer.
These meteors are created by debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet, which orbits the sun once every 133 years. When the Earth passes through this debris, the particles enter our atmosphere and burn up, creating beautiful streaks of light in the sky.
The meteor shower peak happens around August 12th. However, the shower can be visible a few weeks before and after that date. You can expect to see up to 60 meteors per hour during the peak. The best time to watch the Perseids is after midnight when the radiant – the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate – is at its highest.
To watch the Perseid meteor shower, you need to find a dark location far away from city lights. Lie on a chair or blanket, looking up at the sky. It may take up to 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, so be patient. You should look towards the constellation Perseus in the northeastern part of the sky. The best time to look is after midnight, when the constellation is high in the sky. With a bit of luck and clear skies, you should be able to see some spectacular shooting stars.
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Happy star gazing!