(Brady Bateman/paNOW Staff)

By Tyler Marr

AN EYE TO THE SKY

Perseid meteor shower set to peak tonight

Aug 12, 2019 | 1:05 PM

One of the best annual astronomical events will light up the sky this week.

The summertime meteor shower, the Perseid, is set to peak Aug. 12 and 13. Though already underway, as Earth moves further into a cloud of debris left from Comet Swift-Tuttle, which last passed us in 1992 and should stop by again in 2126, the number of meteors will quickly ramp up.

But unlike in 2018, when a setting crescent moon brought dark skies, a full moon is on the calendar this year.

According to NASA, this will reduce the visible meteor rates from over 60 per hour to around 15 to 20. However, the agency said the Perseids are rich and bright, still making it worth the trek outside in the early morning hours to take in nature’s fireworks.

Those who want to catch a glimpse of the meteors will need to make plans to stay up late tonight or wake up early tomorrow. NASA reports the Perseids are best seen between about 2 a.m. and dawn.

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However, anytime after dark one can head outside and look up for a chance to grab a glimpse of the show.

For the best viewing experience, one should head far from the light pollution of a city, lie down and watch the sky. The longer one looks at the dark sky, the more the eye will adapt to the lack of light and be more sensitive to catch the faint glow from the meteors. This means staying off electronic devices and being patient.

The meteors will radiate from one central location in the northeast section of the sky, known as the constellation Perseus, from which they take their name.

The weather doesn’t appear that it will fully cooperate for northern parts of the province. Partly cloudy conditions are expected around Meadow Lake and Melfort, while in Prince Albert, La Ronge and North Battleford, mainly cloudy skies are anticipated.

But not to fret; should you miss the bulk of the meteors this week, though the number per hour will drop off, some stragglers should hang around until Aug. 24.

—

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr