The annual Perseids meteor shower will peak Tuesday night through early Wednesday morning this year.
Image Credit: Jimmy Westlake via NASA
August 11, 2014 - 12:49 PM
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - A nearly full moon may make it difficult to see the full impact of the Perseids meteor shower tonight, but one of the best meteor showers of the year is still worth staying up for.
The Perseids are visible from July 17 through Aug. 24 and produce longer trails and fireballs as an estimated 50-80 meteors shoot through the sky.
Because of the recent full moon (Aug. 10) it may be difficult to view some of the fainter trails during the fast moving — 59 km per second — meteor shower but with up to 80 meteors per hour there will likely be some impressive bursts of light seen streaking through the sky.
The peak will hit Tuesday night through Wednesday morning with the best viewing times in B.C. expected to be between 11 p.m. and 4:30 a.m.
To best view the meteor shower find a place well away from city lights, lay flat on your back with your feet facing northeast and look up to the sky, giving yourself 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2014