Perseid meteor rates are swiftly climbing as Earth moves deeper into the debris zone of comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Forecasters expect as many as 100 meteors per hour when the shower peaks tonight, Aug. 12th and Monday the 13th. The Perseid meteor shower is always good, but this year it is extra-good. The Moon is nearly New during the shower’s peak, providing a velvety-dark backdrop for the display.
The best time to look is during the hours before sunrise on Sunday, August 12th, and again on Monday, August 13th. At those times, the shower’s radiant will be high in the sky, spewing meteors in all directions. For best results, get away from city lights. Dress warmly, lie down on a blanket in a safe, dark place, and look up. Perseids can appear in any part of the sky, although all of their tails will point back toward the radiant in the constellation Perseus.
