Perseid meteor shower peaking and Sturgeon Supermoon to end the week
The Perseid meteor shower, otherwise known as the Perseids, is a meteor shower that occurs every year from July 14th to August 24th. It is caused by Earth passing through debris from the Comet Swift-Tuttle that last passed close to Earth back in 1992. This meteor shower is known to produce 60 to 100 meters per hour, with the peak occurring from Wednesday, August 11th through Saturday, August 13th. The “radiant point” of the meteor shower occurs Thursday night into Friday morning for the true peak.
Sturgeon Supermoon
The Perseids this year could be a little harder to see some of the fainter meteors compared to past years as the peak of this meteor shower comes in the middle of the Sturgeon Supermoon. The Sturgeon Supermoon is the fourth supermoon in a row and will be the last supermoon of 2022. The Sturgeon Supermoon will occur from Thursday, August 11th - Friday, August 12th.
How to view the 2022 Perseids
The best way to view the peak this year, 2022, is after midnight through the predawn hours Thursday into Friday, as the radiant point of the meteor shower will be higher on the eastern horizon while the moon will be lower on the western horizon. This will result in a little darker skies. It is also recommended to let your eyes adjust to the darkness, which could take up to 20 to 30 minutes.
