Get ready to see some huge ass fireballs to fly past the Earth because the Persied meteor shower is going to be visible from Australia on August 13.
The meteor shower happens every year as the Swift–Tuttle comet shoots past Earth, according to 9News. So, if you’re up in the wee hours of the morning on August 13, you might be able to catch a glimpse of up to 60 meteors per hour.
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“This year’s shower has unfortunate circumstance of having a full Moon right at the shower peak, reducing the meteor rates from over 60 per hour down to 15-20 per hour,” NASA said.
The Persied Meteor shower will be most visible from outback and rural Australia where lights and pollution are minimal. Northern Queensland will be a prime location for star gazers, as astronauts predict you will see more meteors the further north you are from Brisbane.
“Meteors can generally be seen all over the sky so don’t worry about looking in any particular direction,” NASA said.
You won’t need a telescope or any special help from Matt Agnew and his astrophysics to see the meteors. However, it can sometimes take up to 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness before you’ll be able to see the meteors properly. Peak viewing times will be from 3am-6am looking north-east to the horizon.
“Try to stay off your phone too, as looking at devices with bright screens will negatively affect your night vision and hence reduce the number of meteors you see.”
The annual Persied shower is most well known for the bright explosions of colour and the long “tails” of the meteors. The shower is named after the Perseus constellation, which is where the meteors looks like they originate as they light up the sky.
Due to this year’s new moon, there will be prime viewing conditions with minimal moonlight to mask the show.
The best times to view the shower are as follows:
