Don’t Miss Tonight’s Epic Perseid Meteor Shower! Will a Bright Moon Dull the Show in Austin?

This year’s Perseid meteor shower is set to peak tonight, but you’ll have competition for your view—a bright moon.

Lara Eakins, a senior program coordinator at UT Austin’s Department of Astronomy, noted that while the moon may hinder visibility, it also brings a unique spectacle. “The planet Saturn will be near the moon. If you have a telescope or binoculars, it’s a great chance to spot both the meteors and Saturn,” she explained.

To catch the best view, head outside after midnight and preferably away from city lights. Dark backyards can work, but city parks often have too much light and tree cover. Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for the best experience.

The Perseids started on July 17 and will continue to be visible until August 23. NASA estimates that when the shower is at its peak, you might see between 10 and 20 meteors per hour due to the moon’s brightness. In ideal conditions, you could spot 40 to 50 meteors an hour.

Meteor showers occur because comets leave behind trails of dust and tiny particles as they orbit the sun. When Earth passes through these paths, we see the “shooting stars” in the sky. This specific shower is linked to the comet Swift-Tuttle, which provides the debris that creates the Perseids.

Interestingly, Eakins pointed out that different comets periodically intersect with Earth’s orbit, creating various meteor showers throughout the year. Some comets offer multiple showers by leaving distinct trails of debris.

### Fun Fact:
According to a recent study by the American Astronomical Society, the Perseids attract many skywatchers, making it one of the most popular meteor showers each year. Social media trends show that more people are sharing their experiences and photos during these events than ever before.

So grab a blanket, find a dark spot, and enjoy the next big astronomical event!



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