Perseid meteor shower peaks next week; meteor 'storm' on the way
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One of the best meteor showers of the year is just days away from its peak, where viewers can see up to 60 meteors per hour falling from the sky. Unfortunately, this year our view will be slightly obstructed due to our friendly neighbor: the moon.
Peaking the night between August 12 and August 13, the Perseids occurs as the Earth travels through a debris cloud left by the Comet Swift-Tuttle when it passed through our solar system in 1992.
However, a full moon will occur on August 9. This means the sky will be very bright and meteors will be hard to see. Days later, August 16, the moon will reach the third quarter phase, where the right half is dark. This means less light and a chance to see the tail end of shower's peak.
The good news is we have the best view yet of a meteor in just three years. Experts believe that an extra dense cloud of dust left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle is in our path.
Based on current calculations, in 2028 we will pass through this dense dust cloud and see the number of meteors in our sky multiple compared to typical showers.
What is a meteor shower?
Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through the tail of a comet. Tiny particles of dust left behind by a comet form a trail in its wake. When Earth passes through this tail, those particles burn up in our atmosphere.
The Perseids are formed from the Comet Swift-Tuttle. It passes through our solar system every 133 years. The last time it was here was in 1992.
How do you see the Perseids?
The meteor shower can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere. NASA typically recommends looking to the sky during the pre-dawn hours. Get as far from city lights as possible when viewing them.
The moon will be at 84% brightness during this time.
The good news, the Geminids meteor shower in December will have great visibility. A new moon will occur during its peak.