Community Corner
Perseid Meteor Shower 2013: What to Watch For
Of all the meteor showers, the Perseids is a real gem.
By Todd Richissin
The Perseid meteor shower 2013 peak is a few days off, but you may be able to get a good look at the show already, if the skies cooperate.
The Perseid meteor shower is a big one. And this year's show peak times will have a crescent moon, and the weather forecast for the Perseids over Elkridge on should tell you whether you can get a preview of the peak. (Spoiler: it doesn't look good).This video of the Perseid meteor shower shows you what you can expect when it peaks Aug. 11 and 12. Or check out these pictures of the Perseids.
How spectacular is the show? NASA says Perseid rates can get as high as 100 visible meteors per hour, with many of them appearing not just as bright streaks but as fireballs hurtling through the sky.
Find out what's happening in Elkridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Perseids are the offspring of the comet Swift-Tuttle. We see the meteors when the Earth passes through the comet's orbit and sweeps up some of this debris. We see shooting stars -- rapid streaks of light -- as the tiny rocks encounter the thin upper atmosphere of the Earth and the air is heated to incandescence.
You can see the shower anywhere in the sky, but look toward the southeastern sky to see the meteors at their brightest and longest.
Find out what's happening in Elkridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Patapsco Valley State Park
- The Howard Astronomical League is hosting a star party at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville August 11, 12 a.m. – 3 a.m.
As always, check for posted hours of public places, and make sure you're not trespassing before setting up shop to gawk at the fireworks of the universe.Â
Where do you watch in Prince George's County? Tell us in the comments below.
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