If you find yourself outside during the night next Thursday, don't forget to look up. On August 11 and 12, the biggest meteor shower of the year, the Perseids, will be lighting up the night sky, and this year the Perseids promise to be the best shower of the decade.

 

The Perseids typically peak in mid-August every year, when the Earth intersects with the trail of Comet Swift-Tuttle. Debris from the comet impacts the Earth's atmosphere and streaks across the sky, creating shooting stars.

 

Typically, the Perseids' peak features about 100 meteors per hour. But this year, we may see twice that many thanks to an "outburst," which occurs when the Earth runs into leftover debris from past orbits of the comet as well as debris from the current year. The extra material combines to create a truly spectacular meteor shower.

 

The Meteor Shower of the Decade Is Coming Next Week

TB&G already has one on this I believe

 

http://bluegrasspreps.com/bgp-break-room/this-years-perseid-330141.html

 

 

Hoping the weather cooperates

Edited August 8, 201610 yr by spindoc

A few years ago, our family was vacationing in Michigan. Took my son out on a midnight kayak paddle, and we were AMAZED at what we could see in the sky. It felt like we were in a planetarium. Would love to be up there this week.

A few years ago, our family was vacationing in Michigan. Took my son out on a midnight kayak paddle, and we were AMAZED at what we could see in the sky. It felt like we were in a planetarium. Would love to be up there this week.

It's the same foe me when we camp in the Colorado mountains. I've been hardcore stargazing for years, but there are so many stars visible there that I get lost in the sky. I'd love to be there Thursday night!

Looking forward to this. Love watching celestial events. Hope it isn't cloudy.

Intense Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight: How to Watch Online (and Off)

Bet this could be spectacular anchored near the shoreline of lake Norris!

I was out on the river last night until about 11:30 and only saw one shooting star pretty bummed.

I didn't have any luck this time around. Disappointing, hopefully there is a next time.