How to of the Day: How to Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower Tonight

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How to Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower Tonight Aug 12th 2012, 12:00 Each year, the Earth passes through the debris of a comet called the Swift-Tuttle. This debris burns up in our atmosphere to form what we see as meteors or shooting stars. The Perseid meteor shower is at its peak during mid-August. In the US, it peaks on the night of August 12, 2012 and into the early morning of August 13.[1] During a peak, at least 50–60 meteors can be observed during each hour. In 2012, the moonlight shouldn't obscure the showers––it will be a waning crescent moon that rises at midnight.[2] Considered the best and brightest meteor show of the year by many, it's a great opportunity to go outside and check out nature's own dramatic show. Edit Steps Set your alarm clock. Set your alarm clock. Go out to watch at or after midnight. The pre-dawn hours are usually the best for viewing because the Earth's side facing the sun picks up more meteors.[3] Pack a blanket, compass, bug spray, and snacks. Pack a blanket, compass, bug spray, and snacks. Mittens or gloves and a warm hat are also a good idea for those who feel the cold at night. Bring a reclining chair if you don't fancy lying on the ground or holding your head tilted back all night. Find a spot away from city lights. Find a spot away from city lights. Planning a camping trip at this time is a great option. Look towards the northeastern sky using your compass. Look towards the northeastern sky using your compass. The meteors can be seen using the naked eye. For closer views, use binoculars or a camera with a telescopic lens. You don't have to use these to appreciate the meteors, however, and these can obscure your view if you don't know where to look.[4] Look for the constellation Perseus. Look for the constellation Perseus. The stars of Perseus form somewhat of a "Y" or "V" shape and the meteors will seem to shoot outwards from a central point in this constellation. They will be visible, however, all over the sky. If you want to take photographs, bring along a tripod. If you want to take photographs, bring along a tripod. The tripod is important to prevent any camera movement when you take the photos. Put the camera focus on "infinity" and use an open shutter over a period of minutes if your camera can do this. Read wikiHow's article on photographing the night sky for more information. Edit Video Edit Tips This is best seen from the Northern hemisphere owing to the way that the Earth hits the debris cloud. Edit Things You'll Need Compass Bug spray Camera Snacks Blanket Warm clothes Edit Related wikiHows How to See a Meteor Shower How to Photograph the Night Sky How to Get Started in Amateur Astronomy How to Find the Pleiades Star Cluster How to Find a Meteorite Edit Sources and Citations Article Tools Read on wikiHow Email this Article Edit Discuss Media files: 200px-Perseid-meteor-shower-9988.jpg (image/jpeg) 200px-Watch-the-Perseid-Meteor-Showe-1.jpg (image/jpeg) 200px-Watch-the-Perseid-Meteor-Showe-2.jpg (image/jpeg) 200px-Watch-the-Perseid-Meteor-Showe-3.jpg (image/jpeg) 200px-Watch-the-Perseid-Meteor-Showe-4.jpg (image/jpeg) 200px-Labeled-perseids-2332.jpg (image/jpeg) 200px-Perseus-constellation-7150.png (image/png) 200px-Watch-the-Perseid-Meteor-Showe-6.jpg (image/jpeg)

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