One of the richest and steadiest meteor showers will fly over the night sky of Iowa this month, but sky conditions may hinder viewing.
The Perseid meteor shower will peak during the second weekend of August. The meteors are colorful and leave “persistent trains,” making the shower quite the show, according to Earthsky. The shower happens every year when the Earth passes through the Perseid cloud, a stream of debris around the Swift–Tuttle comet.
Here’s what you should know about the upcoming meteor shower:
When is the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseid meteor shower started July 14 and will peak from Aug. 11 to Aug. 12. The shower extends through Aug. 24.
Where can you see the Perseid meteor shower?
The ideal time to see the meteor shower is during pre-dawn hours. There are roughly 50 to 100 meteors seen per hour, according to NASA. Only this year’s shower will likely be hindered by 84% full-moon on the peak night. Bright meteors may still be visible, but conditions are not ideal for viewing, according to NASA.
Tips to see the Perseid meteor shower
Head to a rural area or anywhere that is as dark as possible to decrease the chances of light pollution. Perseid meteors will be visible from all portions of the sky regardless of the time of night, according to American Meteor Society.
Experts recommend aiming the center of your view about halfway up in the darkest direction away from lights or obstacles. Avoid looking straight up because activity tends to be visible at lower elevations, the American Meteor Society says.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How to see the Perseid meteor shower in Iowa during its August peak
