The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most popular meteor showers of the year, is expected to peak this weekend. NASA is predicting that up to 50-60 meteors per hour could be visible in dark skies, making it one of the best Perseid showers on record.
The meteors will be visible from all over the world, but the best viewing will be from the Northern Hemisphere. The best time to see the shower is from Saturday night into Sunday morning. If you want to get the best view, find a dark location away from city lights. You can lie down on your back and look up at the sky to witness the shower. You can also use binoculars or a telescope to get a closer look.
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The Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus, which is where the meteors appear to come from. The meteors are caused by the debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle. The comet orbits the sun every 133 years, and it leaves a trail of debris behind it. When Earth passes through this debris trail, the particles burn up in our atmosphere and create meteors.
NASA is encouraging people to get outside and enjoy the Perseid meteor shower this weekend. "The Perseids are a great way to see the night sky and to learn about astronomy," said NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke. "They are also a fun and educational activity to do with friends and family," he added.
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So if you're looking for a great way to spend a weekend night, be sure to check out the Perseid meteor shower. It's sure to be a memorable event!
