The Perseids meteor shower is one of the most notable astronomical events of this year, peaking in the coming days. Astronomy enthusiasts can observe around 60 to 100 meteors per hour.
The Meteor Shower Will Illuminate the Night of August 13
According to the Vietnam Astronomical and Cosmological Association (VACA), the Perseids meteor shower occurs every August, with its peak happening on the night of August 12 into the early morning of August 13. The meteors are remnants from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle as it approaches the Sun. The last time this comet came close to the Sun and crossed Earth’s orbit was in 1992, and it will do so again in 2026.
For many years, the Perseids have been a remarkable event for night sky watchers, ranking as one of the two largest meteor showers each year, alongside the Geminids. Eight years ago, in August 2016, the Perseids experienced a meteor outburst with a significantly high number of observed meteors.
The Perseids meteor shower will illuminate the night sky in August.
Mr. Đặng Vũ Tuấn Sơn, President of VACA, stated that although there will not be an outburst this year, it remains a noteworthy phenomenon. This peak coincides with the time when the Moon has just passed the crescent phase, which may somewhat hinder visibility; however, if the weather is favorable and conditions are right, you can still see many meteors. On the peak night, with a good vantage point and ideal weather, you can observe about 60 to 100 meteors per hour.
The best time to observe the meteor shower is on the nights surrounding its peak. For the Perseids, this is early morning on August 12, 13, and 14. Among these, the early morning of August 13 will be the closest to the peak. You can observe this phenomenon all night, especially after midnight; however, the ideal time is from 2 AM onwards, as the constellation Perseus will be high enough in the sky.
On the early mornings mentioned, look towards the northeastern sky and locate the constellation Perseus. This constellation might be difficult to identify for those without much experience, so the simplest method is to look up at the northeastern sky at an angle of 30 to 50 degrees from the ground. Of course, remember that if the sky is cloudy or rainy, you won’t see anything, and thus there will be no meteors.
Some Tips for Observing the Meteor Shower
According to VACA, you need to monitor the weather conditions. If it is cloudy or raining, there is no hope for observation. If it isn’t raining, to ensure the best visibility, a few minutes before the observation time, go to your chosen viewing spot and look up at the eastern or northeastern sky for 2 to 3 minutes to let your eyes adjust to the dark. If you can see several stars in the sky, then you will definitely be able to see the meteors.
You do not need binoculars, telescopes, or any special equipment to see the meteors. The human eye is the best way to observe.
Be patient! Meteor showers are not like … fireworks, as many people think. Even at peak times and under ideal viewing conditions, the intervals between meteors can range from a few seconds to several minutes.
Choose a broad viewing angle facing northeast and adopt the most comfortable lying or sitting position as you won’t want to stand looking up at the sky for hours. Areas with excessive city lights or dust from construction sites will face more obstacles for observation.
If you want to photograph any meteor, you need a camera with exposure settings, set for a minimum exposure time of 30 seconds. Even so, capturing a meteor photo can still be quite luck-dependent. Don’t forget to pay attention to your health and safety concerns while observing outdoors after midnight.
