The Perseids peak this week but seeing the meteor shower won’t be easy

Tony Wong's timelapse photo of the Perseid meteor shower captured near Medicine Hat, Alta. on Aug. 12, 2020

One of the biggest meteor showers of the year will reach its peak this week.

The Perseids streak across the night sky in the northern hemisphere every summer but, for anyone living in southwestern Ontario, the best time to see them is Aug. 12 and Aug. 13.

The Perseids, named after the constellation Perseus, are the remnants of the Swift-Tuttle comet. When the Earth passes through the ice and rock debris left behind, it creates a dazzling and sometimes dramatic celestial show. About 50 to 100 meteors can be seen per hour, along with an occasional burst of light and colour called a fireball.

The meteor shower began in July, but Earth will not cross the densest part of the debris field until Aug. 12 and Aug. 13.

Best time to see the Perseids

Experts say the best time to turn your eyes to the sky is just before dawn.

The next best time to catch the meteor shower is at dusk, or closer to 10 p.m.

What could impact your view

Visibility could be a problem for anyone hoping to see the Perseid meteor shower.

One factor is the moon.

According to NASA, it will be 84 per cent full during the peak period and “its glare will wash out all but the brightest meteors.”

Another potential issue is the weather.

Forecasters have predicted rain and possibly thunderstorms across southern Ontario on Tuesday and those cloudy conditions could impact our ability to view the meteor shower.

Light pollution can also hinder the experience. Experts recommend finding a truly dark place to view the spectacle. That means it’s best to leave the city lights behind and find a quiet countryside spot to have the best chance of catching a glimpse of the celestial show.

Get creative!

The Perseids can usually be seen with the naked eye, but it doesn’t hurt to get a little help.

A Guelph initiative offers free 3D designs to print and build your own telescope. They also, on occasion, loan them out for free.

Next celestial show

While this week’s meteor shower may disappoint, we won’t have to wait long to see another one.

The Geminids will streak across the night sky in December.

That one, experts promise, won’t be ruined by a full moon.