I'm an award-winning journalist writing about the night sky and eclipses.
Today sees the beginning of the Perseids , the most popular meteor shower of the year. However, with the peak night still some weeks away, there’s still time to plan a trip to dark skies.
That’s ideal timing. A 43%-lit waxing crescent, the moon will be sinking into the southwestern horizon just before midnight in the northern hemisphere . That will leave the rest of the night free from moonlight. That’s perfect for watching a meteor shower. It’s often said that the Perseids can number 150 per hour close to the peak. Others quote it as 100. Both are on the generous side. These “zenithal hourly rates” refer to what would be seen if a viewer could see the entire sky simultaneously. In practice, expect to get about 50 “shooting stars” per hour. That would be a terrific result.What Causes The Perseids?
Perseid Meteor Shower Perseids 2024 Perseid Meteor Showers When Are The Perseids Perseids Peak Night Shooting Stars 2024 Stargazing 2024 How To Photograph Perseids
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