The Perseid meteor shower is active from 17th July to 24th August, peaking on 12th August. It is a little difficult to see as the meteors will appear from very low on the northern horizon. This shower emanates from the constellation Perseus, which is not visible to the south-west of WA. Those in northern WA see the meteor shower a little higher and will be able to make the most out of the event.
The Perseids meteor shower is generated from comet Swift-Tutle and renowned for producing bright meteors.
When and where to look:
The Perseids Meteor Shower is active from 17th July to 24th August. The peak of about 100 meteors/hour is from 4am on 12th August, when it has risen a bit above the northern horizon.
However, this year the Perseids will be impacted by the full moon which makes things even tougher for observers. It’s not one to be losing sleep over.
What is a meteor shower?
A meteor (commonly called a “shooting star”) is an unexpected, brief streak of light seen in our night sky. It’s caused when space debris, travelling up to 75km per second, enters Earth’s atmosphere. The debris can be as small as a grain of sand which burns up in the atmosphere and causes a bright streak of light to appear briefly in our night sky.
A meteor shower is a celestial spectacle where large numbers of meteors, or “shooting stars”, streak across the night sky. These dazzling events occur when Earth passes through the the trail of debris left by a comet or other object that has come into our Solar System and orbited around the Sun. Visible to the naked eye, meteor showers offer a mesmerizing display of bright streaks, adding a touch of cosmic wonder to the night.
Where’s the best place to see the meteor shower?
The best place to see a meteor shower is away from bright city lights and when the night sky is dark with no moonlight. Bright moonlight and light pollution makes it harder to see fainter meteors, however you may still be able to see the brighter ones.
Travel out to a dark sky location at one of WA’s Astrotourism Towns. If you’re an astrophotographer, it is an excellent opportunity to image meteors over some of WA’s iconic landscapes. Where are WA’s Astrotourism Towns?
You don’t need a telescope or binoculars to see a meteor shower. It’s a great time to gather with friends, roll out your favourite picnic rug, pack the drinks and snacks, and start counting how many “shooting stars” you all see! The predicted hourly rate of meteors presumes you’re viewing them in a perfectly dark sky and that the shower is directly overhead. Fingers crossed for a spectacular show!
Something interesting
At its peak, the Perseids Meteor Shower can be expected to produce a rate of around 100 meteors per hour, but this is under ideal conditions. In WA, you’re only likely to see a handful of meteors per hour, even at the shower’s peak. This is because the meteor shower’s radiant point is very low in the sky.
You might like to…
Become a citizen scientist and report meteor sightings! If you happen to see a very bright meteor (often referred to as a “fireball”), WA’s Fireballs in the Sky team based at Curtin University would love to know! Report your fireball sighting with the International Meteor Organization.
The International Meteor Organization is a great place to discover more about all things meteors. Check out their Meteor Shower Calendar. You might even like to become a member!
Where's the Best Place to see a Meteor Shower?
You need a good dark night sky for the best view! Choose an Astrotourism Town destination. Happy meteor hunting!