Perseids meteor shower to peak this weekend
The Perseids will peak on the night between August 12 and August 13 in Ulaanbaatar.
Astronomers said hundreds of shooting stars will streak across the sky between August 12 and 13 in a display that may be visible around the world. With a new moon providing an extra-dark backdrop to the spectacle, the shooting stars will be brighter than ever, according to astronomers.
The Perseid meteor shower occurs each year between July 17 and and August 24 and tend to peak around August 9 to 13. It occurs each year as the Earth ploughs through dusty debris left by Comet SwiftTuttle.
Made of tiny space debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus. This is because the direction, or radiant, from which the shower seems to come in the sky lies in the same direction as Perseus. The Perseids are widely sought after by astronomers and stargazers because around 60 to 100 meteors can be seen within an hour from a dark place in most years when the meteor shower is at its peak.
WHAT TIME IS THE METEOR SHOWER TONIGHT?
According to the latest update on the positon of the radiant in the sky, the Perseids will be active in the following locations in Ulaanbaatar on August 10.
HOW TO SEE THE PERSEIDS?
You don’t need any special equipment or a lot of skills to view a meteor shower. Even though all you really need is a clear sky, lots of patience, and maybe an interactive meteor shower sky map with a visibility conditions meter to see a meteor shower, the following tips can help maximize your shooting star viewing experience. Find a secluded viewing spot, away from the city lights. Once at the venue, your eyes may take 15 to 20 minutes to get used to the dark. Dress for the weather, and make sure you are comfortable, especially if you plan to stay out long. Bring a blanket or a comfortable chair with you—meteor watching can be a waiting game.
Once you have found your viewing spot, lie down on the ground and look up in the direction of the radiant. Use our Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map or the table above to find the current direction of the radiant in the sky.