Perseid Meteor Shower and Blue Moon Highlight the August Night Skies
Alexis Thornton
4 months agoThe month of August is upon us. While July brought the Thunder Moon and the Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower, the month of August is shaping up to be just as exciting for stargazers. Highlights include the most spectacular meteor shower of the year and a convergence of two primary celestial objects.
Not only does the astronomical calendar feature some heavy hitters but the warm temperatures also make it more comfortable to head outside and enjoy the viewing opportunities. Forecasters are also predicting that those in the northern U.S. may get a peak at the aurora borealis to start the month. Here is a closer look at what you should pencil in for your August astronomical calendar so that you do not miss a thing.
Perseid Meteor Shower - August 11 and 12
The Perseid Meteor Shower is known in astronomical circles as the best of its kind. This year's spectacle is slated to peak on the night of Sunday, August 11 and into the early morning of Monday, August 12. While you may be able to catch some of these shooting stars in action in the nights before and after this date, the highest rate of activity will occur on Sunday and into early Monday.
You can expect over 60 meteors per hour during the Perseids. This rate is second to just the December Geminids Meteor Shower. However, while the Geminids typically produce over 100 shooting stars each hour, the cold and cloudy conditions associated with December weather make it more difficult to get outside and watch this show unfold.
According to the American Meteor Society (AMS), you will see the greatest rate of meteors after 1 am local time. This is when the skies are the darkest and the peak of activity is likely to occur.
While the moon will be about half illuminated on this date, it will also set early at about midnight. This is another reason why the time around 1 am will offer the prime viewing conditions. This year's 50% illuminated moon is in contrast to the excellent 2023 show that featured a moon that was just 10% illuminated.
Like any meteor shower, you will have the best luck if you look for the part of the sky in which the constellation that it is named after is located. This is known as the radiant point. For the Perseids, you will need to locate the Perseus constellation.