The annual Perseid meteor shower is expected to put on a good display of shooting stars in the pre-dawn hours Tuesday.
Astronomers are saying this year's Perseid meteor shower will be a good one.
It begins tonight after 9 and peaks before dawn on Tuesday. Experts are predicting at least one or two meteors per minute. http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/
The best views will be from rural locations away from light pollution, where up to 60 meteors per hour could be seen, weather permitting. Urban and suburban skywatchers can expect far fewer.
The Perseids are bits of debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle.The debris is like a river of small particles in space, and each year, Earth passes through it. As the bits zoom through our atmosphere at 37 miles per second (60 kps) they vaporize, creating the brilliant streaks of light. Most of the meteors are no larger than a grain of sand.
Astronomers are saying this year's Perseid meteor shower will be a good one.
It begins tonight after 9 and peaks before dawn on Tuesday. Experts are predicting at least one or two meteors per minute. http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/
Perseids August 12, morning Sets around 2 a.m.
Orionids October 21, morning Rises around 1 a.m.
Leonids November 17, morning Rises late evening
Geminids December 13, evening Full Moon
NOTES These are approximate times for the Lower 48 states; actual shower times can vary. Bright moonlight makes it difficult to see all but the brightest meteors.
The best views will be from rural locations away from light pollution, where up to 60 meteors per hour could be seen, weather permitting. Urban and suburban skywatchers can expect far fewer.
The Perseids are bits of debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle.The debris is like a river of small particles in space, and each year, Earth passes through it. As the bits zoom through our atmosphere at 37 miles per second (60 kps) they vaporize, creating the brilliant streaks of light. Most of the meteors are no larger than a grain of sand.
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