The Perseid Meteor Shower
If you would like to see shooting stars, then August is the month to do it. The Perseid Meteor Shower show off in the first part of the month. Here are the details.
The meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus, which, in North America, rises in the evening in the northeast. But you don’t need to look in this direction. The Perseids are known for their long trails and should streak across much of the night sky. Look anywhere from 30 degrees to 80 degrees above the horizon and about 45 degrees away from the constellation Perseus.
The best times for watching are in the evening before midnight. The best place will be in an open area unobstructed by trees and buildings, like a field or golf course and as far away from city lights as possible. The darker the sky the better. If it’s a cloudy or misty night, you won’t be able to see any meteor activity.
So that you don’t get a stiff neck, lie in a reclining chair or on a blanket on the ground with a pillow for your head. Don’t forget to bundle up because it can be chilly.
There is no need for binoculars. You can just gaze at the heavens with your eyes. You will see streaks of light shooting across the dark sky. Most meteors will be visible directly, but sometimes you’ll see others out of the corner of your eye. If your luck is running strong, you may witness a fireball, a very bright meteor with a small disk. Some fireballs break into several fragments. Enjoy the show!















