Perseid meteor shower to peak this week: When and how to watch

The Perseid Meteor Shower, one of the most spectacular celestial events of the year, is set to peak on the nights of August 11 and 12.

This meteor shower, which has been active since July 17, will continue until September 1, but the best views are expected during its peak period.

Originating from the Comet 109 P/Swift-Tuttle, the Perseid Meteor Shower is named after the constellation Perseus, from where it appears to radiate.

The comet, a periodic visitor from the Oort Cloud with an orbital period of 133 years, leaves behind a trail of dust and small rock particles each time it enters the inner solar system.

As Earth crosses this debris-laden path, these particles enter our atmosphere at an average speed of 60 km/sec, burning up due to friction and creating the stunning spectacle known as a meteor shower.

This year's Perseid Meteor Shower promises to be particularly breathtaking, with an estimated 50 to 100 meteors visible per hour. The timing of the event is also fortuitous, as it coincides with the New Moon phase on August 16th, ensuring darker skies and optimal viewing conditions.

How to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower?

To witness this celestial spectacle, observers need nothing more than a clear, dark sky, an open terrace, and a bit of patience.

While the radiant point of the shower lies in the north-eastern part of the sky, near the constellation Perseus, meteors can be seen streaking across the entire sky. The radiant point will rise around midnight and will be close to the horizon. The shower is best viewed before dawn, with the peak expected at 01:28 am IST on August 13.

"Despite the moon being above the horizon during prime viewing hours, its illumination will be only 10%, making it less likely to interfere with the meteor shower. Observers are advised to allow their eyes to adjust to the darkness for about 20 minutes before starting their stargazing session," Shilpi Gupta, Scientific Officer at MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, told IndiaToday.in.

The Perseid Meteor Shower is not just a visual treat but also a reminder of the vastness and wonder of our universe. So, mark your calendars and prepare for a night under the stars, witnessing one of nature's most awe-inspiring displays.