Astronomers And Stargazers Alike Welcome August Perseid Meteor Shower Extravaganza

The Perseid August Meteor Shower Has Been Seen By Our Ancestors For More Than 2,000years

This has to be one of the most prolific and phenomenal meteor showers to experience with the naked eye.

It is not only a joy to behold by the people of the 21st century but was a yearly visit from the heavens to our ancient ancestors reported thousands of years ago.

It is a universal extravaganza to behold and one you simply do not want to miss.

The Perseid meteor shower is so named because the shower appears to pour from the constellation Perseus and observed by avid stargazers for approximately 2,000 years.

Despite being visible from around mid-July, the meteor shower reaches its peak between August 9 and 14 at the rate of more than 60 dazzling meteors appearing every hour.

Many Catholics followed the belief that the Perseid shower were the “Tears of St Lawrence”, owing to the date that coincided with the Saint’s Martyrdom on August 10.

Whether you’re a professional astronomer or an enthusiastic stargazer, this phenomenal sight will leave you nothing short of breathless and intrigued.

Astronomer and Stargazers Alike Welcome August Perseid Meteor Extravaganza

This wonderful gift from the heavens is set to reach its dramatic climax in the early hours of Saturday morning, peaking about one meteor per minute at 6am, and that’s not all, this universal extravaganza is expected to be visible right the way through until August 22.

“The Perseids are one of the most reliable meteor showers and normally you can expect to saee at least a few tens of meteors each hour if you’re observing from a dark side.

“But this year, with the shower peak tonight through to Saturday morning coinciding with a near-full moon due on the thirteenth you will probably only see a few brighter meteors each hour.

“Despite that, if you are lucky enough to have clear skies and patients enough to watch for a while, the meteors you see may be quite bright, as anything faint will be lost in the moonlit sky.

“This is also a great example of a free astronomical spectacle and something you can enjoy without needing any special equipment”, said the world renowned and greatly respected Astronomer Sir Patrick Moore (88).