Perseids shower this summer 2009?

June 14, 2009 8:28 AM

Where and when in Arizona is the best time to catch the Perseids meteor shower? Previous years seem to indicate early August.
posted by thatbrunette to science & nature (4 comments total)

It peaks around the same time every year, August 12th or so.
But it lasts for a few weeks.
http://meteorshowersonline.com/perseids.html
posted by Flood at 8:37 AM on June 14, 2009

Wherever you are, the rates increase after local midnight as then your location is facing "into" the dust cloud that produces the meteors.
posted by Electric Dragon at 10:39 AM on June 14, 2009

check the moon too, some years it's a washout if the moon is too near full. make sure you have unimpeded view northeast, into perseus too.
posted by OHenryPacey at 2:37 PM on June 14, 2009

The recurring meteor showers (like the Perseids) happen when the earth's orbit comes near the orbit of a comet. Every time the comet approaches the sun it heats up and makes a tail; the detritus from the tail continues to follow approximately the same orbit as the comet. Since the seasons are also determined by the Earth's place in its orbit, the showers happen at the same time every year.

When the shower peaks around August 12, the moon will rise around midnight and be half full. Best viewing will probably be that week and the next, as the moon wanes and rises later.
posted by fantabulous timewaster at 8:02 PM on June 14, 2009