Annual meteor shower peaks tonight

One of the best shows in the night sky, the Perseids annual meteor shower, will peak Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, and if the weather cooperates, fortunate stargazers could see dozens of meteors per hour.

Despite light pollution and the local phenomenon known as "Fogust," Richmond offers good opportunities to discover many exciting objects in the night sky, often without the help of a telescope or binoculars, and August is a great time to investigate.

The Perseids are active from July 14 to September 1, reaching a maximum on August 12 or 13 this year, and typically produce consistent meteors and occasional fireballs, also known as “shooting stars." Rates observed from darker locations can range from 50 to 100 meteors per hour or more.

Two great locations to view meteors and other celestial objects are on the hill in Point Richmond or in East Richmond, where it's possible to get just above the fog layer.

The meteors are particles released from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle as it travels through the solar system. The tiny particles of dust and rocks burn up, passing through the Earth’s atmosphere, producing brief but vibrant streaks in the night sky.

The shower is called Perseids because the radiant (the area of the sky where the meteors originate) is located near the constellation of Perseus. To find Perseus, look for the constellation Cassiopeia, which looks like a slightly crooked W. You will find Perseus almost directly beneath Cassiopeia.

The best time to look for Perseids is after 11 p.m., when you should watch a broad section of the sky in the northeast direction. Even with moderate light pollution, the brightest of the Perseids should still be visible to the patient observer.

Apps such as SkyView are available for iOS and Android devices to help users navigate the night sky. The app offers free and paid versions, each offering slightly different functionality to help guide you.

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