Space junkies were in for a treat when Australia’s night skies lit up with two meteor showers on the very same night. However, Alpha Capricornids and Delta Aquariids simultaneously peaking on July 30 wasn’t the brightest or fastest celestial show you’ll see this winter. The real star of the season is the Perseid meteor shower, which is set to peak in Australia during the early hours of Monday, August 12. Considering Space.com has lauded Perseids as “one of the best shooting star displays of the year,” we think it’s worth camping out for.
When can I see the Perseid meteor shower in Australia?
The Perseids turn up every August, with the 2024 meteor shower active between July 17 and August 24. The meteor shower results from Earth passing through trails of debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle comet, which last travelled close to Earth in 1992.
You can expect to see between 75 and 100 shooting stars per hour when the Perseids peak during the late hours of Sunday, August 11 and early hours of Monday, August 12. These meteors travel at a whopping 59 kilometres per second – that’s 500 times faster than the world’s speediest car – so you’ll have to pay close attention.
How can I see the Perseid meteor shower in Australia?
While the Perseids shine far brighter in the Northern Hemisphere, EarthSky’s astronomers have assured Time Out that they’ll still be visible in the Southern Hemisphere at the same time. Their experts said: “The farther north observers are, the more they will see,” which is good news for stargazers in northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland.
For the best chance to glimpse this celestial spectacle, look up in the early hours of Monday, August 12 – specifically between 3am and 5am. You can find the best viewing time in your city here.
According to EarthSky’s astronomers, there’s “no need to watch a specific spot in the sky, (as) meteors will be shooting all different directions.” Attempting to watch the meteor shower through a binocular or a telescope is not recommended, as you’ll want to take in as much of the sky as possible. For prime viewing conditions, find a place far away from artificial city lights and give your eyes enough time (30-45 minutes) to adjust to the dark.
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