The Tail-End Of The Rumored “Brightest Meteor Shower” Is Almost Over—Watch The Sky!

Are you fan of watching the night sky? If so, there’s one month you don’t want to miss: August, when astronomers the world over are saying the Perseid meteor shower may be the brightest shower in recorded human history.

The Perseid meteor showers are an annual event, generally occurring between July 17 and August 24, peaking between August 9th and 13th.

This year, though, scientists are saying it could it could be the best show ever, and the next time it could even be close won’t come for another 96 years.

Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2013 David Kingham combined 23 individual stills over several hours to depict a Perseid meteor shower. DAVID KINGHAM (THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM ROYAL OBSERVATORY) / PNG

Consider the following tips for when to best view the Perseids (or any other meteor shower):

1.) Schedule your viewing for the sky is darkest. This will require checking the Moon’s phase, as well as when it rises and sets, but as a general rule, most astronomers suggest just before dawn for the best and deepest darkness for meteor viewing.

2.) In the Northern Hemisphere, look between the zenith (the point directly above you in the sky) and the radiant (which will be in the northeast corner of the sky). The Perseids cannot be seen from the Southern Hemisphere, unfortunately.

3.) Lastly, the table below can help you locate the Perseids without simply looking up in the night sky and hoping to catch the movement of a shooting star.

*This content was inspired by an amazing article that can be found here.