When and where to get the best views during their peaks this 12 and 13 August

          The Perseid meteor shower began on 17 July and will end on 24 August, but the best chance for seeing it will be the early hours of the morning this weekend, on 12 and 13 August. People across the country will be able to view the meteor shower after midnight on Mother’s day, Sunday August 12, until Monday 13 morning if the sky is clear and cloudless.

What is the Perseid meteor shower?

          It is an annual celestial event that occurs in August and also one of the most widely observed meteor showers, known for its bright and numerous meteors, or “shooting stars,” that streak across the night sky.

          The Perseids are associated with the debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle comet. As Earth passes through this debris, the particles enter our atmosphere and create a spectacular display of bright and fast-moving meteors. It is best observed in dark, clear skies away from city lights perfect among skywatchers and photographers.

Photo: Courtesy of Bill Ingalls/NASA

The Perseid meteor shower in Thailand

          In Thailand, August is in the middle of the rainy season. This results in frequent heavy cloud cover that can obscure the nighttime sky making it difficult to fully enjoy the Perseids meteor shower even though it can be visible across Thailand. 

          Usually as the show begins observers will only glimpse around one meteor per hour, which is little more than you would see on any given night of stargazing. But as it reaches its peak this weekend, the number of meteors will increase to between 50 to 75 per hour and up to a maximum of 100. 

          So, check the weather, find a dark and clear nighttime location, bring comfortable seating and then sit back and enjoy!