The Perseid meteor shower has returned to the August night sky, giving skywatchers another chance to watch one of the most popular celestial displays of the year. The annual event is widely followed by astronomy fans and casual viewers alike because of its bright, fast-moving meteors.
This year’s Perseids could produce as many as 100 shooting stars per hour, making the shower one of the more active displays on the calendar. That potential rate helps explain why the event is often considered a highlight of summer stargazing.
Interest in the Perseid meteor shower tends to build each August as people look for clear, dark skies to improve their viewing chances. Even those with little astronomy experience often head outside for the event because no special equipment is needed to enjoy the streaks of light crossing the sky.
With the Perseids now underway, skywatchers are expected to keep a close eye on nighttime conditions as the meteor shower lights up the sky. For many observers, it is one of the year’s most anticipated opportunities to see a large number of meteors in a single night.
