How to Watch the Brightest Meteor Shower of the Year
Special | 1m 2sVideo has Closed Captions
The Perseids are one of the most dazzling meteor showers of the year.
The Perseids are one of the most dazzling meteor showers of the year—and a true highlight for sky watchers! Peaking every August, they light up the night sky with fast, bright meteors that seem to come from the constellation Perseus. Star Gazers host Trace Dominguez explains what causes the Perseids, why they’re such a spectacular show, and how you can get the best view.
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Star Gazers is presented by your local public television station.
Funding provided by The Batchelor Foundation and The William J. & Tina Rosenberg Foundation
How to Watch the Brightest Meteor Shower of the Year
Special | 1m 2sVideo has Closed Captions
The Perseids are one of the most dazzling meteor showers of the year—and a true highlight for sky watchers! Peaking every August, they light up the night sky with fast, bright meteors that seem to come from the constellation Perseus. Star Gazers host Trace Dominguez explains what causes the Perseids, why they’re such a spectacular show, and how you can get the best view.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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If you love watching the night# sky like I do, you don't want to miss the Perseid meteor shower.
Every August, the Perseids put# on one of the brightest and most reliable meteor showers of the year.
But where do they come# from?
The Perseids happen when Earth passes through the dusty trail left behind a comet# called Swift-Tuttle.
As those bits of dust and rock hit our atmosphere at thousands of miles# an hour, they burn up, creating these quick, bright streaks that we call meteors.
They're# named the Perseids because they seem to radiate from the constellation Perseus.
The Perseids# are famous because they're fast, frequent, and bright.
At their peak, you can sometimes see# between 50 and as many as 100 meteors an hour.
You want the best view?
Head outside during the peak# in mid August.
Find a dark spot away from city lights and let your eyes adjust for at least 20# minutes and then just lie back and look up.
And the best part, you don't need a telescope.
Just# grab a blanket, maybe some friends, and enjoy one of nature's most dazzling shows.
Thanks for# watching Star Gazers, and remember, keep looking#up!
Do you want to know more about the night# sky, space exploration, astronomy?
Let us know down in the comments what you want to know.
And# in the meantime, click this video to learn more.
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Star Gazers is presented by your local public television station.
Funding provided by The Batchelor Foundation and The William J. & Tina Rosenberg Foundation