Wow! Did you see that?
There’s nothing quite like catching a meteor. That flash in the sky can make your heart race. And many people believe a “shooting star” can make a wish come true. Either way, this is one of the best chances to see a meteor. It’s time for the Perseid meteor shower!
No, a meteor isn’t a “star” at all. Meteors are caused by tiny rocks and dust from space. When those little pieces hit Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up and create quick flashes of light. These are called meteors. Sometimes Earth passes through a huge cloud of dust. That makes a meteor shower.
The Perseid meteor shower began back on July 17. But the light show has been getting better and better. Now in the second week of August, the Perseids are hitting their peak. The best time to see the meteors is August 11–13. Turn your head to the skies. You should see fiery streaks lighting up the night!
An ancient comet created the Perseid meteor shower. The Swift-Tuttle comet flies around the Sun every 133 years. Along the way, it leaves trails of dust and small rocks in space. That debris slams our atmosphere at a speed of up to 37 miles (59 km) per second!
The meteors from the Perseids aren’t only fast. They’re also bright! In fact, it often produces very bright meteors called “fireballs.” The Perseid shower is famous for its awesome fireballs. That’s one reason why many people call it the best meteor shower of the year. Another reason is because you can see so many meteors.
It is possible to see 60 meteors each hour during the Perseids. Sadly, that won’t be the case for 2020. The Moon is still up in the morning sky this time of month. So its light will get in the way of seeing some of the fainter meteors. As long as it’s not cloudy, you should still be able to see up to 20 meteors in an hour.
Anyone in the northern half of the world will be able to see the Perseids. To get the best look, move away from lights caused by buildings, cars, or lampposts. You don’t need a telescope or binoculars. Simply give your eyes time to get used to the darkness, and then face north. The best time to spot the meteors will be before dawn. Don’t worry if you’re not a morning person, though — you can still catch them after sunset too.
So, get out there and enjoy the shower. You just need your eyes and some patience. Don’t miss the meteors!
Updated August 10, 2020, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Russell Kahn (Russ)
