PORTLAND (WGME) — The annual Perseid meteor shower is one of the most anticipated meteor shower events, and it is now peaking.
The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak on Sunday (August 11) and continue into the early morning hours of Tuesday (August 13).
The Perseids meteor shower originates from comet swift-tuttleAll the flying meteors you see are bits and pieces of that comet when Earth passed through the debris.
What is amazing about this event is that the number of meteors falling on Earth ranges from 50 to 100 meteors per hour.
The moon is a waxing crescent, which means viewing conditions are good as the moon will not be disturbing.
In past years, when there is a new moon, the rate of meteors increases. 2016There were between 150 to 200 meteors per hour!
On Sunday night, we saw the aurora borealis and the Perseid meteor shower.
Both shows are likely to return Monday night into Tuesday. Overnight conditions will be partly cloudy with temperatures in the 50s to 60s.
If you miss the Perseids, don’t worry because they are active until September 1.
There are a few meteor showers coming up to watch out for.
The Orionid meteor shower begins on September 26 and ends on November 22, peaking on October 20 and 21.
The Southern Bull Run runs from September 23 to December 8, peaking on November 4-5.
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