The best show in August

Every August, the night sky is flooded with shooting stars. That’s how I like to think of them anyway. I was able to capture one by chance using my smartphone camera. But these brief streaks of light are actually meteors from the annual Perseid meteor shower. 

The meteors originate from the Swift-Tuttle comet and are visible from mid-July to late August. What you’re actually seeing are pieces of comet debris burning up as they enter the Earth’s atmosphere at a whopping 59 km per second. The bigger the debris, the brighter the streak of light.

Where should I look?

Meteor showers are named after the constellation from which they appear. The Perseids emanate from the constellation Perseus in the northeast, but you should be able to see meteors across the night sky. 

You could keep it simple and search for them from the comfort of your backyard, but I recommend travelling away from the bright lights of the city. You’ll get to see more of them if you go as little as 20 minutes away. 

What do I need?

No special equipment is necessary to see the Perseids. Just your eyes, a chair, and an optional, but highly recommended, warm beverage. You might try your hand at night photography, even if it’s just with your phone camera, like me. LinkedIn Learning has just the course to get you started. 

The shower reached its peak for the season on August 12. But what’s special this year is the new moon on August 16. The sky will be at its darkest, so you’ll be able to see more, brighter meteors. 

Happy stargazing, and remember to make a wish.

Erin from Marketing and Communications