What Is The Perseid Meteor Shower?
QUICK ANSWER
The Perseid meteor shower peaks August 11-12 every year, producing 50 to 100 meteors per hour at peak under dark skies. Its parent body is comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun every 135 years. The shower is named for the constellation Perseus, where the meteors appear to radiate from.
The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower of the year. They peak around August 11-12, producing dozens to hundreds of meteors per hour under dark skies. Warm summer nights and reliable activity make the Perseids a favorite for skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere. They're caused by Earth passing through debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle, which has been depositing material for thousands of years.
When do the Perseids peak?
In mid-August each year, typically August 11-12. According to NASA, the Perseids are active from mid-July through late August, with peak rates typically occurring on the night of August 11-12. The shower is best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during the pre-dawn hours, though meteors can be visible as early as 10 PM local time. Peak rates depend heavily on conditions, particularly moonlight. A dark moonless night with clear skies can yield 50 to 100 meteors per hour, while a bright Moon can cut that dramatically.
Where do they come from?
Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. The Perseids are debris left behind by Swift-Tuttle, a comet that orbits the Sun every 135 years. As Earth passes through this debris stream each August, tiny particles hit the atmosphere at about 132,000 mph and burn up in brilliant streaks of light. Swift-Tuttle was discovered in 1862 and was last near the Sun in 1992. It won't return to the inner solar system until 2126. The comet is about 16 miles across, large enough to cause major damage if it ever struck Earth.
What makes the Perseids popular?
Reliable activity, fast meteors, and warm weather. The Perseids consistently produce one of the highest meteor rates of any annual shower, with bright fast meteors that often leave glowing trails called wakes. The August timing means Northern Hemisphere skywatchers can comfortably observe outdoors without bundling up against winter cold. The Perseids also have a long active period, allowing flexibility around the peak night. All these factors make the Perseids the most-watched meteor shower of the year.
How do you watch them?
Find dark skies and look up. To see the most Perseids, get away from city lights to a dark sky site, ideally over an hour from major light pollution. Find a comfortable spot where you can lie back and see a wide portion of sky. The radiant point is in Perseus (rising in the northeast), but Perseids can appear anywhere. Allow 20 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark. Avoid phones or other bright lights. Bring a blanket or lounger. No telescope needed.
The Perseid meteor shower peaks August 11-12 every year, producing 50 to 100 meteors per hour at peak under dark skies. The shower is caused by Earth passing through debris from comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun every 135 years. The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower of the year, thanks to reliable activity, fast bright meteors, and comfortable summer weather. Best viewed from dark sky locations in the Northern Hemisphere.
More Space Basics Questions
Mystery Question?
Mystery Question?
Mystery Question?