This year it is expected to be a spectacular meteor shower beginning late Wednesday night August 11, and through the predawn hours of August 13. With good conditions, one could see up to 60 shooting stars an hour or more.
The dusty remains of the comet Swift-Tuttle, discovered back in 1862, and most recently observed in 1992, takes approximately 130 years to circle the sun. As it passes, the comet tail produces a debris trail along its orbit causing the Perseids.
The Earth passes closed to this orbit every year during mid August, and the
material left behind the comet produces the bright streaks in our night skies.
This year it is estimated, the Earths path will cut through the densest part of the perseid stream sometime around 8pm Eastern Time on Thursday.
Viewing will not be inhibited by the moon this year as it will not be a full moon until Monday, thus eliminating the glare that interfered with last years meteor shower.
