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Perseid meteor shower reaches peak viewing on Wednesday night
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- The Perseid meteor shower, considered NASA's best meteor shower of the year, will peak on August 12 and 13, offering 50 to 100 meteors per hour visible in the Northern Hemisphere.
- The best viewing time is during the predawn hours of August 13, though meteors can be seen as early as 10 p.m. the night before, especially away from city lights and clouds.
- The Perseids originate from debris left by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 133 years, with observations of the shower dating back over 2,000 years.
- This year's viewing conditions are optimal due to the new moon phase, which means darker skies and more visible meteors without moonlight interference.
- Observers are advised to let their eyes adjust to the dark and focus on a patch of sky near the constellation Perseus, where the meteors will appear to radiate from, for the best experience.
