How and when to see the brightest, most colorful rain of the entire year

From August 11th to 13th, the Perseid meteor shower will be visible in the night skies across the Northern Hemisphere – no telescope required.

The Perseid meteor shower, commonly known as PerseidsIt is considered the brightest and most prolific meteor shower of the year. With around 50 to 100 meteors visible per hour crossing the sky with long “trails” of light and color, it is one of the most abundant showers.

Because of this, the Perseids are the highlight of many a meteor hunter’s calendar—but you don’t need to be an astronomer to spot this cosmic display. Here’s how to see the Perseid meteor shower in your own backyard.

What is the Perseid meteor shower?

The Perseids, named after the constellation Perseus (the point in the sky where meteors appear to come from, called the radiant), are leftover particles ejected from comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the Earth. every 133 years.

Behind these particles is a cloud of dust and debris – the Perseid cloud – that Earth passes through every year. As our atmosphere collides with this debris, the comet’s particles disintegrate, creating fiery, colorful streaks. in our sky.

Due to their large number of fireballs – large explosions of light and color – the Perseids are one of the most vibrant showers. These explosions appear very bright and persist longer than those of an average meteor shower.

When does the Perseid meteor shower occur?

The Perseid meteor shower is active and visible annually from mid-July to late August.

This year, rain will peak between August 11 and 13, with visibility a few days on either side of that date range.

NASA predicts that skywatchers can see 100 meteors per hour during this peak.

Best time to see the Perseid meteor shower

The Perseids are best viewed from midnight to dawn, when the radiant is highest in the sky – although it is possible to see meteors from the shower as early as 10pm.

You’ll see the most meteors just before dawn, so set your alarm earlier – or be prepared to stay up late!

Where to look for the Perseid meteor shower

Although the constellation Perseus is the radiant point of the shower, it’s not the only place in the sky you should look. As long as the sky is clear and you’re far enough away light pollutionmeteors can appear anywhere.

And the more sky, better: Find an area with a clear view of the horizon, away from trees and tall buildings.

As for how to see the Perseid meteor shower, it’s best to do so with the naked eye. Binoculars and telescopes will only restrict the size of the sky visible to you.

Photos of the Perseid meteor shower

Here’s a look at the 2023 Perseid meteor shower to see what you can expect to see in your backyard this year.