You can catch the year’s ‘best meteor shower’ from Kentucky soon. Here’s when it peaks
Ready for a night of stargazing? An annual meteor shower could help make your nighttime viewing of Kentucky skies even more spectacular.
According to NASA, the annual Perseid meteor shower is considered the best meteor shower of the year thanks to its timing in the summer, when temperatures are warm and comfortable at night in the Northern Hemisphere. The shower will hit its peak between the night of Aug. 11 and the early morning of Aug. 13.
The Perseids are often associated with fireballs, or larger explosions of light and color that last longer than a typical meteor shower. The annual meteor shower can produce between 50 and 100 visible meteors per hour, and even more if the conditions are right.
“With swift and bright meteors, Perseids frequently leave long ‘wakes’ of light and color behind them as they streak through Earth’s atmosphere,” NASA wrote online.
So, when might be the best time to catch a glimpse of the beloved Perseids meteor shower? Here’s what you need to know in Kentucky.
When can I watch the Perseid meteor shower in Kentucky?
It’s best to look for the meteor shower once it’s dark enough to see stars. According to astronomy publication Space.com, pre-dawn hours present the best viewing opportunities, but you might be able to catch visible meteors as early as 10 p.m.
Besides clouds, moonlight usually presents an obstacle for those hoping to see meteors cross the night sky. However, this year’s Perseids shouldn’t be affected, as the moon is expected to set before the meteor shower hits its stride each night in mid-August.
August’s full moon will be a blue moon and a supermoon.
The Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus, as it represents the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to come. The constellation is not the source of the Perseids, but rather a visual aid to help viewers on Earth establish which shower they are viewing.
Perseus should be visible above the horizon for most of the night in Kentucky, as the commonwealth’s latitude sits slightly below 40 degrees North.
Where do the Perseids come from?
The space debris that comprises the annual Perseid meteor shower comes from the commit 109P/Swift-Tutte, according to NASA. The comet orbits the sun just once every 133 years.
The average Perseid meteoroid moves at about 133,200 mph as it hits Earth’s atmosphere, Space.com reports. They reach a temperature of approximately 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit and are visible to those on Earth when they’re about 60 miles from the ground.
Tips for seeing a meteor shower
You should look for meteors in the sky once the moon has set. A dark, clear sky with as little moonlight as possible is best for seeing meteors.
Find a viewing location far from major sources of light, including light pollution or personal equipment. Even your cell phone or camera may affect your view if they let off any significant light.
Leave the binoculars and telescopes at home. Experts say the naked eye is the best tool for seeing a meteor shower, as you will avoid limiting your field of view and have an easier time watching meteors travel quickly across the sky.
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