Witness a Celestial Miracle: A Guide to the Perseid Meteor Shower

When:

The Perseid meteor shower happens every year between July 17 and August 24 and peaks around August 12, 13, and 14. The meteor shower is named after the Perseus constellation as they appear to come from that direction. They are remnants of Comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun once every 133 years. Perseid meteor showers are visible across the northern hemisphere, and if you are in the right place, the show could be outstanding.

Where:

To witness the Perseid meteor shower, you should get as far away from the city’s light pollution as possible. You can take advantage of national parks or dark-sky preserves, which usually offer the best viewing experience. Look for a location with good visibility and an unobstructed sky view. It is advisable to arrive at your viewing area at least an hour before the meteors are expected to be visible to allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Then face northeast after midnight and watch the sky light up with shooting stars. 

Special Equipment:

You don’t need any special equipment to view the Perseid meteor shower. It is visible to the naked eye. However, carrying binoculars or telescopes can help you see deeper into the sky and better appreciate the details of the meteor shower. Remember to wrap yourself up warmly, take some snacks, and a chair or sleeping bag to make yourself comfortable while viewing.

History:

The Perseid meteor shower has a fascinating history. A Chinese astronomer first discovered it named Zeng Yi, who observed the meteor shower in 36 AD. It was later found in Europe more than ten centuries later by Swiss astronomer Philippe Loys De Chéseaux. The next milestone was in 1865 when astronomers discovered the connection between the Perseid meteor shower and Comet Swift-Tuttle. It had been thought for a long time that the meteors were just part of the night sky until the discovery of their relation to a comet.