The Perseids

Sky & Telescope illustration

 Don't forget, the Perseids peak tonight!!!


Some observing hints from Sky & Telescope:
 

"The Perseid meteors appear to stream away from the shower's "radiant" point near the border of Perseus and Cassiopeia. This is the perspective point where they would all appear to be coming from if you could see them approaching in the far distance. In fact we see them only in the last second or two as they streak into Earth's upper atmosphere, and this can happen anywhere in your sky. Under dark-sky conditions, you may see an average of one a minute around the time of the shower's peak."

For more info about this year's display, check out Off Year for the Perseids