Every August, the Perseid Meteor Shower lights the Earth’s sky, and on this ocassion, it will be extra especial: the shower will peak between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, in coincidence with the new moon, therefore, the satelite’s light won’t make them look faded, and they’ll be clear from many parts of the Northtern Hemisphere.
The best time to observe them from Ireland will be between tomorrow and Thursday (peaking on Wednesday night), from 2:00 am to 4:00 am. NASA’s main recommendation for making the most of the natural fireworks show is to get away from the city lights as the light pollution makes the meteors harder to see.
Once you are all set in a dark place, give your eyes time to adjust to the night and avoid using flashlights or mobiles as they will diminish your night vission. On this occasion, binoculars or telescopes won’t be necessary, in fact, they will only limit the spectacle. If you’re wondering what way you should look at, the answer is “up”.
The Perseids are visible when Earth passes through debris left by Swift-Tuttle, a periodic comet with an orbital period of 133 years. These debris particles burn as they hit the atmosphere at 140,000 mph, leaving the wonderful view that has amazed humankind for centuries.