Astronomers are forecasting a more active Perseid Showers event this year and, as if on cue, the skies are also forecast to be clear.
While the meteor shower has been visible for days, the peak nights are expected to be tonight and tomorrow night.
Optimum viewing is when the constellation Perseus is overhead and the stream of meteors appear to come from the northeastern sky. This will be between midnight and dawn. Due to a high-pressure ridge moving in (and bringing warmer temperatures), night skies are expected to be clear.
This annual astronomical show is the result of the Earth passing through the debris trail of an ancient comet, Swift-Tuttle. The comet is long past the Earth in its 133-year path around the sun but its tail remains.
Most years, according to NASA experts, the Earth merely clips the edge of the tail but this year promises a bigger show with the Earth expected to push deeper into the tail which has been pulled closer by Jupiter’s gravity. The meteor count per hour is expected to double if this forecast holds true. Such events are referred to as “outbursts” and the last one occurred in 2009.
Optimum viewing locations are areas away from ambient light, such would be found away from towns. Fortunately, one doesn’t need to go far to leave the lights of downtown Ferndale behind.