With no moon to drown out the glow of the meteors, and clear skies overhead, Susanville residents should have a great view of one of the most exciting meteor showers in years into the early hours of Thursday morning.
Earth is entering the debris stream of comet Swift-Tuttle and this is causing the annual Perseid meteor shower. As we approach the heart of the debris stream meteor rates to increase rapidly.
At it’s peak tonight observers could count as many as 220 Perseids per hour.
Star gazers and astronomers say that with a good show and no ambient light caused by the moon, this year’s observance should be spectacular.
How to Watch the Meteor Shower
The meteor shower is expected to peak in the dark hours between midnight and dawn Thursday morning.
According to NASA’s Perseid website, “Veteran observers suggest the following strategy: Unfold a blanket on a flat patch of ground. Lie down and look up.
Perseids can appear in any part of the sky, their tails all pointing back to the shower’s radiant in the constellation Perseus. Get away from city lights if you can.
Make sure to watch the skies a little early, giving watchers a nice view of so called Earth-grazers between now and 11:00p.m. our time. Earth-grazers are gorgeous meteors that skim along the atmosphere and leave long slow streaks of light across the sky.
