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Tonight’s meteor shower likely to be good, won’t be eclipsed by moon

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Meteors
Astronomer Fred Bruenjes recorded a series of many 30 second long exposures spanning about six hours on the night of Aug. 11 and early morning of Aug. 12, 2004 using a wide angle lens. Combining those frames which captured meteor flashes, he produced this dramatic view of the Perseids of summer. There are 51 Perseid meteors in the composite image, including one seen nearly head-on. Fred Bruenjes-NASA

WASHINGTON (AP) — Want to wish upon a shooting star? The skies over the United States are likely to cooperate for a meteor shower overnight Wednesday.

Astronomers say the lack of moonlight will help people see more of the oldest meteor shower known to Earth, the Perseids.

NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke said the annual show will peak around 3 a.m. local time Thursday. Cooke said if the weather is good, expect one shooting star a minute, maybe more.

Weather Underground meteorology director Jeff Masters said the skies will be clear for an unusually large section of the U.S.

The sky show is pieces of Comet Swift-Tuttle hitting Earth’s atmosphere at more than 133,000 mph and burning up. The best way to watch: lie down and look up — no telescopes needed.

 

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