DOTHAN, AL (WDNews) — Residents in the Wiregrass who are wanting to witness the yearly Perseid meteor shower may have a difficult time this year since the moon is predicted to be bright during prime viewing hours and the skies are predicted to be hazy.
The Perseids are predicted to reach its zenith late on Monday, August 12, and early on Tuesday, August 13. Under perfect circumstances, the Perseids can emit up to 100 meteors per hour, making it one of the year’s most energetic and aesthetically spectacular meteor showers.
On both evenings, though, the Dothan region is expected to see generally cloudy, humid sky with a potential of late-night thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service. Furthermore, many of the fainter meteors will probably be washed out by a waning gibbous moon that is almost 80% full, which will rise before midnight and stay brilliant through the early morning hours.
The Perseids are renowned for their swift, dazzling fireballs, which are visible even in moonlight, according to NASA experts. Observers are advised to go outside between midnight and 4 a.m., when the meteor rate usually reaches its peak, for the best chance of seeing activity. The finest places to see the sky are those that are remote from city lights.
According to local experts, people who can’t see the shower on busy evenings might still have a better chance later in the week. If the weather permits, the moon will be much weaker by August 17th, providing darker skies and better stargazing opportunities.
Earth’s passage through Comet Swift-Tuttle’s debris track is what causes the Perseids. Mid-July through late-August is when the yearly shower usually occurs.
When traveling to rural regions for night watching, observers are encouraged to use caution and give their eyes time to acclimate to the darkness. To enjoy the meteor shower, no additional equipment is required.
