Raleigh.- The skies of North Carolina will once again be the setting for the most beautiful cosmic event that outer space has to offer: the Perseids.
The Perseid meteor shower, also known as the Perseid meteor shower, occurs annually. This time it promises a breathtaking view from the evening of August 11 to the early morning of August 12.
The most magical meteor shower of the year is approaching: the best time to observe how the sky ‘drips’ the Perseids will be the night of August 12-13 and, although this will not be the best year to see them, the ‘show’ is still guaranteed.
There will be an equally good opportunity the following night, August 12-13.
The Perseids are one of the most popular meteor showers of the year, and although they are often mistakenly called “shooting stars,” they are actually meteors.
These meteors or cosmic debris collide with the Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of thousands of kilometers per hour.
This debris comes from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which leaves a trail of particles on its periodic journey around the Sun that the Earth passes through every year around this time.
Astronomy enthusiasts and the curious will be able to enjoy this natural spectacle, as long as weather conditions permit and the sky is clear.
There is a chance of seeing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak.
Recommendations for viewing the Perseids
The Morehead Planetary Science Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers the following tips for viewing the Perseids:
- Check the weather forecast: Look for clear or partly cloudy skies.
- Choose a dark place: Get away from city lights and turn off the lights in the house.
- Select a date and time: To maximize visibility, watch during the last dark hours before dawn. If you’d rather not lose so much sleep, you may also be able to see some meteors at night.
- Make yourself comfortable: Use a blanket or a reclining chair to enjoy the sky without straining your neck.
- Look up: Avoid being distracted by friends or your phone so you don’t miss the meteors.
- Don’t worry about identifying Perseus: Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
- Adjust your expectations: From a dark location, you might see more than one meteor per minute; in urban areas or under moonlight, you’ll see fewer.
- Be patient: Stay outdoors for a long time to adjust to the dark and see more meteors.
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