ARKANSAS, USA — One of the most popular meteor showers, the Perseids, is taking place all August-long, but it will peak on August 13, 2023. It's a yearly meteor shower and this year it may have one of the best displays we've seen in 5 years.
In order to see if the clouds will block your view or not, check out interactive radar and satellite HERE.
PERSEIDS
The meteor shower is called the Perseids because of its radiant, or where it seems like the meteors or shooting stars are coming from. The radiant is located right next to the constellation Perseus. Perseus was the Greek hero that defeated the Gorgon sisters and beheaded Medusa. He used the reflection on his shield in order to locate and kill Medusa without looking at her and turning to stone.
WHERE TO LOOK
The best place to look will be to find the constellation Perseus. The constellation will break above the horizon in the NE sky just after sunset. Over the course of the night, the radiant of the meteor shower will move to the top of the night sky by sunrise. If you are planning to watch for shooting stars with your family after sunset, generally look to the north or northeastern sky.
BEST VIEWING IN 5 YEARS
The key to seeing the shootings stars will to be in a dark place. That not only includes city lights, but also other lights in the sky, like the moon. On August 13th, the moon will be in a waning crescent phase with only 14% illumination. That will make the sky itself darker, making it easier to see shooting stars. The last time we had this low of an illumination was back in 2018.
-5NEWS Weather Team