GREENSBORO, N.C. — Grab a blanket and some bug spray, then head outside tonight for a great chance to see some shooting stars. The Perseid Meteor Showers is one of the most reliable meteor showers of the year, and Tuesday night is the peak. Here's what you need to know.
WHAT IS IT:
Meteors, commonly called shooting stars, are seen when dust and debris enter our atmosphere. They burn upon entry and allow us to see a brief trail of light in the sky. This meteor shower produces about 10 meteors per hour from most locations; more if you're in a truly dark rural area.
This meteor shower has debris from a comet that passed closeby in the early 1990s. The Perseid Meteor shower is named after the constellation Perseus, which is where the meteors appear to come from.
WHEN TO LOOK:
Your best chance to see these meteors will be from 11pm through 12:30am Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. If clouds get in the way, you can try again on Wednesday night.
WHERE TO LOOK:
Just the darkest part of the sky in your location. These meteors can be seen in any part of the sky, so you're best off just trying to avoid whatever light pollution you have at your location.
WHEN'S THE NEXT ONE:
The next reliable meteor shower comes up in late October. The Orionid Meteor Shower peaks on October 20th-21st.
