Perseid meteor show to peak from August 10-15

The Perseid meteor shower, an annual celestial event beloved by millions of skywatchers around the world, will return to the night sky this coming weekend, and a new Moon occurring at the same time, will make sure bright moonlight doesnt spoil the view, Sky and Telescope magazine has predicted.

Washington, Aug 10 : The Perseid meteor shower, an annual celestial event beloved by millions of skywatchers around the world, will return to the night sky this coming weekend, and a new Moon occurring at the same time, will make sure bright moonlight doesn't spoil the view, Sky and Telescope magazine has predicted.

The Perseid shower would reach its peak late on Sunday night, August 12, and the rate of activity should pick up after midnight until the first light of dawn, the magazine said.

"The combination of a moonless night, together with a peak timed to favor North America, means that conditions for this year's display will be ideal," said Sky and Telescope senior editor Alan MacRobert.

MacRobert said the meteor show would be visible to the naked eye. One will only have to find a dark spot with a wide-open view of the sky, and the later one stays, the more meteors he/she is likely to see.

"Go out after about 11 or midnight or so, lie back, and gaze up at the stars. Relax, be patient, and let your eyes adapt to the dark. With a little luck you'll see a 'shooting star' every couple of minutes on average," said MacRobert.

As Perseids can appear anywhere and everywhere in the sky, so the best direction to watch is wherever the sky is darkest, he said.

Faint Perseids appear as tiny, quick streaks. Occasional brighter ones may sail across the heavens for several seconds and leave a brief train of glowing smoke, MacRobert said.

"Don't give up if it's cloudy on Sunday night. The shower lasts for about two weeks, with satisfying displays in the predawn hours of August 10 through 15," he added.

ANI