Perseids meteor shower 2022 may disappoint during its peak in Colorado

The prolific Perseids meteor shower is typically the most attention-getting meteor show of the year because it occurs in August when nighttime temperatures are relatively warm for stargazing.

Unfortunately, the peak of the Perseids this year — which will occur Thursday night and the early morning hours of Friday — will coincide with a full moon. That is expected to reduce the number of meteors that are visible for skygazers.

It still may be worth viewing, though.

“Most of the Perseid meteors are faint, and bright moonlight will make it difficult to view,” according to a post on the American Meteor Society website. “Such is the case in 2022 when a bright full moon will lie above the horizon most of the night. Despite the glare of moonlight, the Perseids produce many bright meteors that can still be easily seen despite the bright moonlight.”

The Perseids are caused by debris left behind by the 109P/Swift-Tuttle comet, which is 16 miles across, according to a post on a NASA educational website. It orbits around the sun every 133 years. Every summer the earth passes through its debris trail, and when it does, some of that debris burns up in the earth’s atmosphere.

“Theoretically, the best time to watch the Perseids is just before the break of dawn when the radiant lies highest in a dark sky,” according to the American Meteor Society post. “This is usually around 4 a.m. local time.”

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