A Perseid meteor shoots through the sky over a dynamic aurora in Aug. 2024. The peak of the Perseids accompanied a solar outburst that brought auroras to much lower latitudes than normal. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Among the most respected yearly meteor showers of the year, the Perseids, peaks tonight, raising to 75 “shooting stars” per hour to the sky in some parts of the world. The U.S. saw its peak last night (Sunday Aug. 11), numerous spotting meteors will still be noticeable overhead tonight for those in appropriately dark locations.
Intense meteors are anticipated, the screen can be substantially impacted by strong moonlight. This year, the moon will set simply as strong activity starts to take place from the Perseids, according to the American Meteor Society. The very best time to look will seek 1 a.m. regional time.
Update: Auroras might likewise sign up with the program in lots of parts of the world, as an effective geomagnetic storm will make the Northern Lights noticeable at lower latitudes than normal, consisting of in more than a lots states near the U.S.-Canada border, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administation.
Shooting stars are brought on by meteoroids. As these small particles get in Earth’s environment, they warm up and vaporize, launching energy noticeable as streaks of light in the night sky. The Perseids move at a swift 37 miles per 2nd (60 kilometers per second), and there are normally in between 50 and 75 noticeable each hour throughout the peak night. That’s about one per minute, though you’ll require to be as far from light contamination as possible to see a remarkable variety of shooting stars.
Related: The 1st week of August is a stargazer’s pleasure. Here’s why.
The Perseid meteor shower is understood for its quick and brilliant meteors, according to NASA. The meteors appear to originate from the constellation Perseus, which is how they get their name. This constellation will increase high in the northwestern sky in the Northern Hemisphere in the hours after midnight, when the most shooting stars are anticipated to be seen. Noticeable in this area of the sky is the Andromeda Galaxy, above Perseus, and the Pleiades, above Mars and Jupiter.
Tonight’s peak provides the greatest frequency of meteors, the Perseids are active from July 14 to Sept. 1, 2024, and “shooting stars” can be seen every night.
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The presence of shooting stars depends a lot on the moon’s stages. Thankfully, on Monday, Aug. 12, a half-lit moon will go about an hour after midnight regional time throughout the Northern Hemisphere, suggesting no strong moonlight will hinder the peak of the Perseids this year. A clear, dark sky is needed to see the meteors.
Stargazing field glasses and yard telescopes are not suggested for seeing meteor showers, as you’ll wish to let your eyes take in the entire sky to look for shooting stars.