Perseids: If No Full View, Blame On Moon

SAN CARLOS, CA — A conflicting celestial event may prevent the annual Perseids meteor shower from being as prolific this year compared to years past for San Francisco Bay Area viewers. Blame the full moon on what could be a diminished viewing.

While astronomy officials say the peak viewing time will be Aug. 12 or Aug. 13, locally it is more likely to be this weekend when the moon isn’t quite full. Look to the sky after midnight on Saturday and Sunday for the best show. While the Perseids will be active in the local skies through Aug. 24, the full moon should begin to be an issue Tuesday morning, the American Meteor Society reported.

“Normal rates seen from rural locations range from 50-75 shower members per hour at maximum,” according to AMS. “The Perseids are particles released from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle during its numerous returns to the inner solar system.”

The darker one’s surroundings, the better it will be see the meteors streaking across the sky. Artificial light from cities can obscure these natural phenomena. Some ideal locations to see the Perseids include Skyline Boulevard in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, Henry Coe State Park in Morgan Hill, as well as any mountaintop.

AMS added: “They are called Perseids since the radiant – the area of the sky where the meteors seem to originate – is located near the prominent constellation of Perseus the hero when at maximum activity.”