Astronomers and stargazers should look to the sky in August for the Perseid Meteor Showers. The Perseids are a trail of space debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle and will peak between August 9th and 13th. Named after the constellation Perseus, from which the meteors appear to radiate, the Perseids are known for their fireballs, and considered the best meteor shower of the year. According to NASA, “Meteors come from leftover comet particles and bits from broken asteroids. When comets come around the sun, they leave a dusty trail behind them. Every year Earth passes through these debris trails, which allows the bits to collide with our atmosphere and disintegrate to create fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.”
Best viewed between midnight and dawn from a dark location, you may be able to see as many as 60 to 100 Perseid meteors an hour.
Prepare properly for the event by getting away from city lights, dressing for the weather and comfortable waiting, and bringing a blanket or tarp so you can lay on the ground to look up.
For an interactive Sky Map follow: Perseids Meteor Shower 2021 (timeanddate.com)
Watch for our Montgomery County Community College Observatory virtual event in November!