The 2008 Perseid meteor shower has started and is expected to reach its peak during the next 24 hours. Probably the best time to catch this display is tomorrow morning, after the Moon sets around 2:00 AM.
Like a messy tourist, the comet Swift-Tuttle passed through our solar system in 1992 (as it did in 1863) leaving behind its trash; tiny grains of ice, dust, rock, and other debris. As the Earth makes its trip around the sun, we pass through this debris field with some spectacular results (The Perseid Meteor Shower).
The Perseid Meteor Shower, like other meteor showers, is named after the constellation from which it first appeared to have come, Perseus, which is located near Cassiopeia. While at times the Perseid Meteor Shower has peaked at 400 - 1000 meteorites an hour, expect tomorrow's peak to be closer to 60 per hour.
Image Credit: Nick Greene
Comments
This should be very interesting, especially viewing from a very high altitude. If it doesn’t rain, I hope to get some great pictures.
In Oregon, get a great view at the Fall Creek resevoir located about 12 miles southeast of Springfield. Bring a blanket, it can get quite cool.
Enjoy