TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansans hoping to enjoy an active meteor shower this week may be sorely disappointed thanks to intervention from the moon.
Brenda Culbertson, solar system ambassador with the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), told 27 News the Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak at midnight on Tuesday, Aug. 12. She said that while around 100 meteors may be seen per hour at the peak, a nearly full moon will likely ruin viewing chances for many.
“We can’t see through the clouds if the clouds are very dense, so we need a clear night, but this one has the near-full moon that will outshine most of the meteors, and moon will be in the sky most of the night,” Culbertson said. “People may see members of the Perseid meteor shower for several days before and after the peak time, though.”
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Culbertson recommends people who want to catch sight of a meteor or two should seek out a dark place away from bright lights. She said the meteors will appear out of the constellation Perseus and will be easier for people to spot in their peripheral vision.
“If people sit in shadow caused from the bright moonlight, their eyes should be shielded, and maybe they will see a few more meteors,” Culbertson said.
The Perseid meteors originate from the Swift-Tuttle comet and can be seen from July 17 to Aug. 23 annually, according to NASA. Astronomers consider the Perseid meteor shower as one of the best showers of the year. Perseid meteors leave behind long streaks of light and color with some occasional fireballs.
“People may see a few Perseid meteors this year if they go out around midnight on Aug 12, and meteors will streak through the sky, but we will not see many, if any, because of the moon that is just past full phase,” Culbertson said. “They can, however, observe our moon.”
Culbertson said people should keep an eye out for a couple potentially better meteor-viewing opportunities coming later this year. She recommends the Orionids that peak the night of Oct. 22-23 and the Leonids that peak on Nov. 16-17.
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