Community Corner

Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower 2013 Peak

The Perseids peak is set for Aug. 11 and 12, and clear skies Sunday could make for a great show.

By Todd Richissin

The Perseid meteor shower 2013 peak is a few days off and you may be able to get a good look at the show Sunday night, as skies are supposed to be clear.

The Perseid meteor shower is a big one. And this year's show peak times will have a crescent moon, and the weather forecast for the Perseids over Parkville on Sunday is for mostly clear skies.

Find out what's happening in Parkville-Overleawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Monday's forecast is less ideal, with cloud cover expected into the night.

This video of the Perseid meteor shower shows you what you can expect when it peaks Aug. 11 and 12. Or check out these pictures of the Perseids.

Find out what's happening in Parkville-Overleawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

How spectacular is the show? NASA says Perseid rates can get as high as 100 visible meteors per hour, with many of them appearing not just as bright streaks but as fireballs hurtling through the sky.

The Perseids are the offspring of the comet Swift-Tuttle. We see the meteors when the Earth passes through the comet's orbit and sweeps up some of this debris. We see shooting stars -- rapid streaks of light -- as the tiny rocks encounter the thin upper atmosphere of the Earth and the air is heated to incandescence.

You can see the shower anywhere in the sky, but look toward the southeastern sky to see the meteors at their brightest and longest.

Where to watch? The darker the area the better. 
  • Head to the track and field at Parkville High School. It's a nice dark spot for stargazing.
  • Kick your feet up in your own backyard if you have a clear view of the moon.

As always, check for posted hours of public places before setting up shop.

Where do you watch in Parkville-Overlea? Tell us in the comments below.


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