top of page

Backyard Astronomer: Get ready for the best meteor shower of the summer

The best meteor shower of summer belongs to the Perseids.

 

The entire shower lasts from July 14 to September 1 with the peak period being the night of August 12 into the morning of the 13.


Photo credit: Gary Boyle/Joe Bonner

 

But the night before and after should still result in a spectacular cosmic show. The first quarter moon will set on the 12th around 11:30 pm local time and midnight on the 13th.

 

With the lunar glow gone, conditions will be ideal to see the estimated 90 meteors per hour including a few bright fireballs.


Away from the glow of city lights will reveal the band of our Milky Way Galaxy. The planet Saturn will rise after 9 pm with the pair of Mars and brighter Jupiter after 1 am.

 

Any astronomy cell phone app will show their position.

 

Both are closest (conjunction) on the morning of the 14th with a separation less than the width of the full moon. Enjoy these sand-sized particles of Comet Swift-Tuttle as they safely vaporize in the atmosphere at about 72 kilometres per second.

 

What a great way to spend vacation at your favourite campsite or cottage.

 

Clear skies,

 

Gary Boyle

 

The Backyard Astronomer

 
 
 

Comments


Home

About us

News

Contact

CJROradio.com

Carlsbad Vars Sarsfield

Embrun Russell

Casselman

  • CJRO Radio - Facebook page

@2025

bottom of page