Though 2020 hasn’t been off the best of starts, we’ve still had a thing or two to cherish in these past few months. Apart from the pandemic, 2020 has been a year of several astronomical events. Right from January 2020, we have witnessed several major as well as minor astronomy events directly from our terrace or balcony. And after the last meteor shower in July 2020, it looks like we have another meteor shower to look for in August 2020.
It’s August, and its time for the best meteor showers of the year- the Perseid. The Perseid meteor is deemed as the best meteor shower to be observed. This meteor shower is caused by the comet ‘Swift-Tuttle,’ which was discovered in 1862. The Perseid meteor shower is famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. Actually, this meteor shower runs from July 17 to August 24 every year. However, the maximum show of Perseid Meteors occurs on 11th, 12th, and 13th August and is visible from both hemispheres.
Perseid Meteor Shower is Expected to Peak on August 11 and 12, Here’s How You Can Watch This Astronomy Event!
Though the Perseid meteor shower is visible from both hemispheres, it has the best view from the Northern hemisphere. The Perseid meteor shower tends to lose its intensity while being viewed from the Southern Hemisphere. One can see up to 100 meteors in an hour during the Perseid Meteor Shower.
The moon phase of 41.9% could interfere in the view. However, it is still a bright enough meteor shower allowing one to see up to 60 meteors in an hour. The Perseid Meteor shower will be best viewed from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus but can appear anywhere in the sky.
