Astronomers are expecting this year’s Perseid meteor shower to be extra astonishing.
On its orbit, the Earth passes through a large area of space particles. These cause the meteor shower.
President of the PG Astronomical Society Blair Stunder says Jupiter’s gravity is moving extra particles into Earth’s path.
“When the Earth makes its orbit around the Sun, it clears a path in that debris field unless some outside influences take place. In this case, Jupiter happens to be positioned to pull some of those dust particles back into (Earth’s) orbital path,” he says.
Stunder says more particles mean a more stunning shower.
“Normally, Perseid runs about 100 meteors per hour. They’re talking possibly 200 per hour.”
He expects a bright moon this weekend, which means not all meteors will be visible.
If you plan on watching, the best nights are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
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