The annual Perseids meteor shower will peak Wednesday night, Aug. 12, through early Thursday morning this year.
Image Credit: Jimmy Westlake via NASA
August 10, 2015 - 9:00 PM
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - One of the best meteor showers of the year is set to peak this week, sending up to 60 shooting stars through the sky every hour.
The Perseids meteor shower is visible from July 17 to Aug. 24 every year and is set to peak overnight Wednesday, Aug. 12 this year.
Environment Canada is calling for clear skies and a low of only 19 Celsius throughout the region Wednesday night.
As one of the most prominent meteor showers, the Perseids produces up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak and is known for producing a lot of bright meteors. With a thin crescent moon in the sky this week the meteors should be even easier to spot than they were last year during a full moon.
The Delta Aquarid meteor shower, a much weaker shower that peaked in late July, runs through Aug. 23 and may add to the night sky show.
The best time for viewing will be after 11 p.m. Wednesday through the early morning hours Thursday. It is recommended you find a dark location away from city lights, lean back, and let your eyes adjust to the dark. The ‘shooting stars’ can appear anywhere in the sky.
You can also head down to the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory near Okanagan Falls Wednesday evening for an event celebrating the Perseids.
If you want to try your hand at catching a few meteors with your camera, check out our night sky photography tips and be sure to share your photos in the comments below.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2015