HALIFAX COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Looking to watch this year’s Perseid meteor shower? Here’s all you need to know about viewing the celestial event in Virginia.
What is the Perseid meteor shower?
When meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and burn up, the fireballs or “shooting stars” are called meteors, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) .
The Perseid meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through the debris stream left behind by comet Swift-Tuttle.
The event is considered the best meteor shower of the year, as viewers often can enjoy seeing about 50 to 100 meteors per hour, according to NASA .
When does the meteor shower occur?
According to NASA, the Perseid meteor shower begins mid to late July and lasts through most of August. The peak is expected to be on the night of Aug. 11 through the morning of Aug. 12.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation said that the meteor shower should span from about July 17 through Aug. 24.
Which spots may be best from which to view the event?
The Perseids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere before dawn. NASA recommends that viewers get out of the city and get to a location with less light pollution.
In addition, NASA recommends that viewers check for predictions on fog, clouds and temperature, as they can affect viewing.
Virginia offers the following four International Dark Sky Parks that may be among the best places to view the event:
What should you bring?
NASA recommends bringing a blanket or chair for comfortable viewing. In addition, viewers should bring a blanket and warm clothes in case of colder temperatures at night.
Telescopes and binoculars are not necessary, as meteors should be visible to the naked eye in good weather conditions.
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