Posted on 08/09/2024 1:52:37 PM PDT by Morgana
The next Perseid meteor shower peaks around the night of Aug. 11 and before dawn on Aug.12, 2024, with good viewing conditions for a few days on either side of the peak.
The Perseid meteor shower, commonly known as the Perseids, is visible annually from mid-July to late August. Although the moon will be 50% illuminated during the peak of the Perseids this year, it will set around midnight, providing dark skies until dawn — ideal for meteor watching!
If you're unable to hunt for Perseids in person you can watch the Perseid meteor shower online for free this weekend courtesy of astrophysicist Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project. The first livestream will begin at 9 p.m. EDT on Aug. 11 (0100 GMT on Aug. 12,) and the second will begin at 9 p.m. EDT on Aug. 12 (0100 GMT on Aug. 13.), weather permitting.
Although the Perseids occur annually, there's already anticipation for a potential Perseid meteor storm in 2028, so be sure to mark your calendars!
The Perseids result from Earth passing through debris — bits of ice and rock — left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, which last passed close to Earth in 1992.
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