Astronomers Expect Spectacular Perseid Meteor Shower

No special equipment is required to watch the Perseid meteor shower. Astronomers say binoculars might help, but will also restrict the view to a small part of the sky. Photo by spaceweather.com

Astronomers and skygazers around the planet are preparing for the high point of the annual Perseid meteor shower.

The shower, which reaches its peak on Wednesday, occurs when the Earth passes through a stream of dusty debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle.

As this cometary "grit" strikes our atmosphere, it burns up, often creating streaks of light across the sky.

The meteors appear to come from a point called a "radiant" in the constellation of Perseus, hence the name Perseid.

"Earth passes through the densest part of the debris stream sometime on 12 August. Then, you could see dozens of meteors per hour," said Bill Cooke of Nasa's meteoroid environment office, cited by the BBC.

No special equipment is required to watch the sky show. Astronomers say binoculars might help, but will also restrict the view to a small part of the sky.

The Perseids can appear in any part of the sky, but their tails all point back to the radiant in the constellation Perseus.

Stargazers are advised to lie on a blanket or a reclining chair to get the best view.

 

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