By continuing to use the site, you agree to our cookie policy. “Perseids show a strong sodium signal,” Cooke says. In 2019, a nearly full Moon will block out most of the fainter meteors during the peak, but the Perseids are so bright and numerous that it should still be a good show. Notes: Strong moonlight may interfere this year.

The featured composite image was taken during last year's Perseids from the Poloniny Dark Sky Park in Slovakia.
The Perseid meteor shower has a peak that lasts a few days, so if you miss the peak Monday or Tuesday, don’t fret. You’ll still be able to catch some more shooting stars over the next few nights. Peak Activity: 21 Oct 2019 By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. To view the Perseids from the UK, head out in the late evenings of 11, 12, 13 August, on whichever night is the most clear. Peak Activity: Dec. 21-22, 2019 Notes: Some moonlight may interfere this year. The Perseids are named after the summer constellation Perseus as this is the direction from which they appear to originate. Comet of Origin: 8P/Tuttle The unusual building in the foreground is a planetarium on the grounds of Kolonica Observatory. Everyday, we receive reports about Fireballs. This site uses cookies. Every year in August, the Earth crosses the orbital path of Comet Swift-Tuttle. As you bucket-list your way around our site, contact destinations directly for new hours and info. Peak Activity: 4-5 Nov 2019 The Perseids occur as Earth passes through the debris trail of the comet Swift-Tuttle. The first record of the Perseids dates back to 36 AD in ancient Chinese annals. Buy your tickets online and upgrade to a free annual pass! Peak Activity Meteor Count: 10-20 meteors per hour Colors can also come from ionization of the surrounding air.

“It won’t be a total wash-out, because the Perseids are rich in bright meteors, but the moonlight is going to spoil most of the show,” he added.
“But if you see a fireball, it’s probably bigger,” says Bill Cooke, who leads NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office.

Other upcoming meteor showers for 2019 include: Orionids. Keep up to date with the current Space news or read about the history of Space travel! More Information. There’s no special benefit to looking there, however. That would be the constellation Perseus, hanging low in the northern/northeastern sky. Get ready for the best light show of the year – the Perseid Meteor Shower is coming soon to a night sky near you! The debris hits Earth’s atmosphere at more than 200,000 kilometres an hour and burns up in bright, short blazes about 80 kilometres off the ground. The Perseids will be visible across the United States and elsewhere, and the best viewing will be found away from light pollution. NV is welcoming back visitors! They reach a strong maximum on August 12 or 13, depending on the year. However, the Perseids are known for their fireballs, or extremely bright meteors, which will still shine through the moonlight. When a piece of debris strikes the outer atmosphere about 60 miles high, friction causes it to burn up. Sign up to our mailing list and keep up-to-date with the latest National Space Centre news, Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle in 1992. Credit: Gerald Rhemann via NASA. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. As always in the UK, clouds can be an issue, but be patient. Comet of Origin: 2P/Encke Notes: Some moonlight may interfere this year. 11 Oct 222 reports. “They’re convenient,” Cooke says. According to Space.com, the bright Perseids are perhaps the most popular meteor shower of the year, but in 2020 they’ll be washed out by a close-to-full moon during their peak. “They’re convenient,” Cooke says. Viewers across the United States will have a chance Sunday night into the predawn hours on Monday, as well as Monday night into early Tuesday morning, when a dozen meteors per hour and possibly up to 50 or more at its peak are slated to dazzle the heavens after dark. Radiant: constellation Leo The Challenger Learning Centre is one of only two educational space mission simulators of its type outside of North America. Peak Activity: 17-18 Nov 2019 Perseids 2019 2019 Meteor Shower Calendar. In 2019, peak activity occurs in the night of 12-13 August. Peak Activity Meteor Count: 10-20 meteors per hour

Although it’s tough to determine their elemental composition, some meteors have been known to contain magnesium, iron, carbon and silicon. The reason we see the meteor shower at the same time each year is because Earth moves through the same area of debris at this point in its annual orbit around the sun. When this happens it will be a bright comet easily visible with the naked eye, but that will be for future generations to enjoy. In fact, many skywatchers look away from the radiant to see shooting stars that have the longest, most spectacular-looking tails. Peak Activity Meteor Count: 10 meteors per hour. 16 Ways To Give Ordinary Adventure The Heave-Ho.

In 2019, the Perseid meteor shower peaks between 12-13 August, with up to 60-70 meteors an hour! “The Geminids produce more meteors, but they’re in mid-December. Those in southern latitudes can look toward the northeast to see more meteors. Download our National Space Centre Meteor Shower Guide to make sure you are fully prepared to watch the Perseids!