The cosmos is lining up for a special light show but the weather across Southeast Texas might not cooperate for sky watchers. The National Weather Service is predicting cloudy skies Thursday and Friday nights when NASA says the Perseids meteor shower will be twice as active as usual.
The Perseids meteor shower comes toward the middle of August every year. The meteors are debris left by the Swift-Tuttle Comet, which circles the sun every 133 years. NASA astronomers said this year the gravitational pull of Jupiter will send more of the debris into Earth’s atmosphere.
The meteors are grains of sand or other debris that could reach the size of sand dollar. The grains and pieces burn as they go into the Earth’s atmosphere and streaks of light can be seen across a dark sky.
NASA said normally the Perseids show brings 80 to 100 meteors per hour. This year because of Jupiter, expect to see 160 to 200 meteors per hour.
The meteors came into the atmosphere earlier this week and will remain until near the 24th. However, the peak of the meteor shower will be Thursday night until dawn Friday. Meteors should also be strong through the weekend.
The moon is in a waxing phase and is about half full. Moonlight can brighten the sky to obscure some of the meteors.
NASA recommends sky watchers get away from city lights and find a place with a clear, unclouded view of the night sky. People should bring a blanket or lounge chair so they can relax and look upward. When they first arrive, they should allow time for their eyes to adjust to the darkness. “Relaxed eyes will quickly zone in on any movement up above, and you’ll be able to spot more meteors,” NASA advises.
Leave cell phones and other light sources alone while watching for the meteors. Binoculars and telescopes are not recommended for watching meteors. Spectators should use their eyes to get a wide view of the sky.
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