What time the Perseids peak and where to see them
Stargazers should get ready for a meteor shower considered the best show (not) on Earth.
The Earth will pass through debris left behind by a comet, creating the Perseid meteor shower.
Throughout the year up to six random “sporadic” meteors are visible each hour, but during a shower, the Earth passes through a cloud of debris left behind by comets, and so many more meteors are seen entering the atmosphere.
Perseid “is considered the best meteor shower of the year”, according to Nasa, and it is a great chance to wish upon a shooting star.
What is the Perseid meteor shower?
Nasa says: “With swift and bright meteors, Perseids frequently leave long “wakes” of light and colour behind them as they streak through Earth’s atmosphere. The Perseids are one of the most plentiful showers with about 50 to 100 meteors seen per hour. They occur with warm summer night-time weather allowing sky watchers to comfortably view them.
“Perseids are also known for their fireballs. Fireballs are larger explosions of light and colour that can persist longer than an average meteor streak. This is due to the fact that fireballs originate from larger particles of cometary material. Fireballs are also brighter, with apparent magnitudes greater than -3.”
It adds: “Meteors come from leftover comet particles and bits from broken asteroids. When comets come around the Sun, they leave a dusty trail behind them. Every year Earth passes through these debris trails, which allows the bits to collide with our atmosphere and disintegrate to create fiery and colourful streaks in the sky.”
When does the Perseid meteor shower peak?
The shower lasts for more than a month, but its peak will be on the 12 and 13 August. The best time to see them is between midnight and 5.30am, but they can be seen from any time after sunset.
The Royal Greenwich Museum says: “The radiant of the Perseids is actually always above the horizon as seen from the UK, which means that observers in the UK should be able to see some meteors as soon as the Sun sets. Therefore, it is worth looking up in the early evening.
“It is always favourable to try and spot meteors when the Moon is below the horizon or when it is in its crescent phase, because otherwise it will act as natural light pollution and will prevent the fainter meteors from being visible.”
Can I photograph the Perseid meteor shower?
If you want to catch the meteors on camera, Pixsy has produced a beginner’s guide to astrophotography here, which includes the following tips:
- Choose a higher ISO, between 1600 and 6400 – this means the camera is more sensitive to light. The exact ISO you should use will vary between cameras and conditions, so experiment by taking a set of photos and increasing the ISO each time to determine which gives you the best results.
- Take a tripod – typical exposure times for astrophotography can vary, usually between 5 and 30 seconds, and your camera needs to remain completely still for the duration for a sharper image.
- Use a large aperture – if you can adjust the aperture on your camera, aim for a large setting (between ƒ/2.8 and ƒ/4). This helps to maximise the amount of light going into your camera lens.
Tips for getting the best view
In ideal conditions with no clouds, observers could see up to 50 meteors an hour, according to the Royal Astronomical Society.
The meteor shower is often dubbed the best show of the year because of how bright and active it is.
Although the meteors appear to emanate from the constellation of Perseus, they can appear anywhere in the sky, so try to find somewhere with the broadest view of the sky possible – ideally an area with no tall buildings or trees, where you can see the surrounding horizon. You will need it to be a clear night.
Light pollution can also be an issue, so the further into the countryside you are, the better. If you are confined to an area with street lights, facing away from them can help.
You need to give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the darkness, as this will help you to see the fainter meteors. Try to avoid looking at your phone for the best results.
Royal Museums Greenwich says: “Plan ahead and check the weather forecast. If it is likely to be inclement, find a different location or go out on a different day. The days leading up to the peak are usually better than the days after.
“Meteors can appear in any part of the sky so the more sky you can see the better. Find an area with a clear view of the horizon and away from trees and buildings. Binoculars and telescopes are not necessary as they will restrict the size of the sky that will be visible to you.”
