This one is being billed as the greatest fireworks show of our times. The Perseid meteor shower is one no-one should miss, with a peak rate of 200 meteors per hour expected to fly across the night sky.
Perseid is predicted to be even better than usual when the shooting stars appear on the Thursday and Friday night sky. Perseid meteors travel at the blistering speed of 132,000 miles per hour. That’s 500 times faster than the fastest car in the world. At that speed, even a smidgen of dust makes a vivid streak of light when it collides with Earth’s atmosphere. Peak temperatures can reach anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit as they speed across the sky.
Forecasters are predicting a Perseid outburst this year with double the normal rates. An outburst, which is a meteor shower with more meteors than usual, occurs when Earth passes through the heart of the tail of the comet Swift-Tuttle as it orbits around the sun. The best viewing conditions are in rural areas away from the glow of streetlights. No special equipment is needed, just a dark sky and some patience.
This Year's Perseid Meteor Shower Is Going To Be Quite A Show — Here's How To Watch http://n.pr/2aGCMIT
Get ready for Perseid meteor shower http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/science/get-ready-for-perseid-… via @seattletimes
How to watch the greatest fireworks show of your life: the Perseid meteor shower http://qz.com/755844 via @qz
What time are the Perseid Meteor Showers 2016 tonight and where should I look?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/0/perseid-meteor-showers-best-time-s… via @TelegraphSci
Photo: NASA