A new moon will grace the sky this week, which means the Perseid meteor shower won’t be upstaged by any lunar glow as it peaks this week.
NASA expects about 100 meteors an hour during the predawn hours on Wednesday, Aug. 12; Thursday, Aug. 13; and Friday, Aug. 14, though at about 4 a.m. Thursday is likely the best bet.
Perseid meteors often leave trains of light and color for a few moments after the meteor has gone, making for an extra colorful and special show.
The Perseid meteor shower comes from the constellations perseus happens annually from mid-July to mid-August as the Earth crosses orbital paths with Comet Swift-Tuttle.
For the best view, find a rural area away from city light pollution and look to the northwest, according to EarthSky. Avoid using a flashlight or looking at your smart phone or tablet and allow your eyes to relax. Plan to watch for at least 30 minutes to allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness and watch the open sky.
Find out about other upcoming meteor showers in a story from The Elkhart Truth.