Thread by @weatherindia

#PerseidMeteorShower: How to Spot the Year’s Brightest Meteor Shower in Indian Night Sky

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(📸: NASA/Bill Ingalls)

After the month-long show of comet #NEOWISE, skywatchers are all set to experience yet another spectacular celestial phenomenon—Perseid Meteor Shower—this month.

#PerseidMeteorShower

Regarded to be the year’s brightest meteor showers, it will peak on Tuesday, August 12, but will be visible throughout from August 11 to 13.

#PerseidMeteorShower

On Tuesday and Wednesday night, the highest number of meteors—that appears like a shooting star—will grace the night sky of India, especially between 2 am to pre-dawn hours.

#PerseidMeteorShower

However, many parts of India may not have a clear view owing to monsoon clouds. Moreover, the Perseid shower is clashing with a half-moon, and the bright moon may dampen the night show.

#PerseidMeteorShower

What causes meteor showers?

Meteors are basically part of meteoroids, which are space objects composed of dust and range in various sizes. When these meteoroids enter the Earth’s atmosphere they are referred to as meteors.

The meteoroids travel at high speeds into the atmosphere and burn up resulting in the bright streak of light. This is known as the meteor shower.

#Perseid meteors shower is caused by debris left behind the Comet Swift-Tuttle. The debris can travel to our planet’s atmosphere at a velocity of around 130,000 miles per hour.

#PerseidMeteorShower

This particular meteor shower is regarded to be an annual event as the Earth passes through the path of this large comet between July 17 to August 24.

#PerseidMeteorShower

The nucleus of the comet is noted to be about 26 km wide. Reportedly, at its peak, Perseid meteors shower can result in 60-70 meteors in an hour.

#PerseidMeteorShower

Will #PerseidMeteorShower be visible in India?

Yes, provided one has a clear sky and less pollution. The stunning celestial event will be visible in India on August 11 and August 12. The visibility of the meteor shower will be maximum around 2 AM to pre-dawn hours.

To catch the glimpse of the shower, one must select a location that is free from air and light pollution. The brightness of the meteor shower may be impacted due to the moonlight.

Moreover, the best part is sky grazers don’t need any particular equipment to watch the meteor shower. It can be easily seen through the naked eye and is visible all over the sky.

#PerseidMeteors shower gets its name from the fact that the point from which they appear to hail lies in the constellation Perseus—an autumn constellation of the northern sky.