Perseid meteor shower to light up the night sky: here’s how to see it

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The Perseid meteor shower is expected to light up the night sky on Thursday evening, with the near new moon making viewing conditions ideal this year due to the relative lack of moonlight.

Perseid rain meteors tend to be bright, so sky watchers may be able to spot up to 60 meteors per hour or more. Be aware, however, that meteor showers are sporadic, so you will only see one or two every few minutes and there may be larger time gaps between meteors. The name of the game with meteor showers is patience.

The Perseids have their source in the dust and debris of comet 109P / Swift-Tuttle, which was the last on Earth’s orbital path in 1992.

According to EarthSky, going out to see the shower before midnight is recommended for spotting “earth grazers,” colorful meteors that slowly travel across the sky while leaving a long trail. To spot the greatest number of meteors, watch after midnight.

The Perseids are known for their “fireballs,” which are brighter and more colorful and last longer than the average meteor streak.

To reduce the impact of moonlight, place a large structure or natural object between you and the moon.

As with any meteor shower, the best conditions for viewing require the darkest possible sky. For this reason, it’s always best to be away from cities and light sources when looking at one, as light pollution makes it difficult to spot meteors.

The Negev is often a good place to see the shower, with the area around Mitzpe Ramon being the favorite of many as there is little light pollution in the area. Last year, tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in the area to view the shower, so be prepared for the traffic.

A number of viewing events will take place across Israel on Thursday, including at a number of national parks and local observatories. Most of the events are already sold out.

The Shirat Hakohavim Observatory in Yeruham recommends a number of places in the Yeruham area, including Yeruham Lake, Colorful Sands Park, Nahal Yamin Parking Lot, and Nahal Akrabim Campground.

Keep in mind that the desert can get cold at night, so be sure to bring warm blankets and clothes.

Meteors are coming from the direction of the constellation Perseus which is in the northeast sky, but don’t just look at the constellation when looking for shooting stars as they could appear at any point in the night sky. It is best to lie on your back in order to see as much of the sky as possible in order to catch as many meteors as possible.

Stand with the moon behind you for the best viewing experience. It’s best to avoid checking your phone when looking at the stars, as the light interferes with your ability to see shooting stars.



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