The Perseid meteor shower is an annual summer delight for skywatchers and the best time to watch happens this weekend. Weather permitting, Indiana's night sky will come alive with fiery streaks of light zipping through Earth's upper atmosphere.
Here's what Hoosiers should know about where, when, and how to watch the Perseids before the season comes to a close.
What is the Perseid meteor shower?
When rocks or other debris enter Earth's atmosphere at a high rate of speed, they often burn up. These fireballs or "shooting stars" are called meteors. The Perseid meteor shower happens every year when the Earth passes through a cloud of debris left behind by the Comet Swift-Tuttle. Perseid meteors tend to leave long "wakes" of light, writes NASA, as they streak across the sky.
When is the best time of year to watch the Perseid meteor shower?
The meteor shower is active from July through September and its peak activity will happen Aug. 11-13 in the Northern Hemisphere, according to theAmerican Meteor Society. If the weather cooperates, you should be able to spot dozens, if not hundreds, of meteors every night by mid-August.
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Weather forecast during the Perseid meteor shower for Central Indiana
Midwest weather can be a fickle thing. While earlier reports suggested clear skies for Central Indiana, local forecasters with the National Weather Service now say Sunday night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 59.
Monday and Tuesday evening might offer better odds of spotting meteors in Central Indiana. The forecast calls for only partly cloudy skies with lows in the low 60s.
Thankfully the moon will be at only half its illumination for better viewing. When it becomes full later this month, we'll have a seasonal blue moon.
What part of the night sky are the Perseid meteors?
Look up into the night sky and find what experts call "the radiant" — the point where the Perseids appear most frequently. In this case, it's the constellation Perseus, which begins to rise at roughly 11 p.m., writes Space.com.
Which direction to look to see the Perseid meteor shower
Look north toward the Perseus constellation, which is about 40 degrees latitude. Perseus will be under the W-shaped constellation of Cassiopeia. It never sets below the horizon and is visible year-round in the Northern Hemisphere. That's where you should be able to spot the Perseid meteor shower.
What is the best time to watch the Perseids meteor shower?
The best way to watch the Perseid meteor shower is to find a nice, comfortable spot away from city lights. If you can, search for a wide open field or country road one to two miles away from the city — the darker the sky, the more clearly you'll see meteors. The best time to watch the Perseid meteor shower is from midnight into the predawn hours after the radiant has reached its highest point in the night sky, writes EarthSky.
Astronomical events happening in August 2024, per NASA
If you plan on observing the night sky this month, according to NASA's skywatching tips, keep the following dates in mind for August 2024:
- August 11– ThePerseid meteor showerpeaks overnight tonight. Provided you have clear skies, viewing conditions will be favorable this year, as the moon sets by around 11:30 p.m. local time. Meteor activity picks up from then until dawn.
- August 14–JupiterandMarshave an extremely close pair-up called a conjunction this morning. They'll appear just a third of a degree apart, which is less than the width of the full moon. Find them in the eastern sky in the couple of hours before sunrise.
- August 19–Full moon.
- August 20– The moon chasesSaturnacross the sky tonight. The pair rise in the east shortly after dark and trek toward the west together until dawn.
- August 27– This morning the crescent moon joins Mars and Jupiter to form a captivating trio. Look for them in the east in the hour or so before sunrise.
- All month– You can use binoculars or a telescope to observe the Lagoon Nebula in the first few hours after dark. It's located in the constellation Sagittarius near the star pattern known as "The Teapot." Similar in size and brightness to the Orion Nebula, it's a cauldron of star formation located about 4,000 light years away.
August is for Astronomy lovers:A rare, seasonal blue moon is coming in August, and the sky has more surprises in store
John Tuftscovers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip atJTufts@Gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter atJTuftsReports.
