Perhaps thanks to the warmer evenings and longer days full of sunshine that can boost your desire to stay up later, summer time is the perfect season for stargazing. You can't help but feel inspired and potentially even awestruck, given how many gleaming celestial bodies are dotted across the dark black canvas above us. If you've ever felt a strong sense of whimsy and excitement taking in the night sky, you're going to want to mark your calendar for a special astronomical event: the Perseids meteor shower of 2023.
Here's what to know about the Perseids meteor shower and how to watch this starry spectacle this year.
What Is the Perseids Meteor Shower 2023?
Annually, from about mid-July to mid-August, stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere have a thrilling opportunity to check out the Perseid meteor shower. The event is named Perseid because, from our vantage point on Earth, its streams of cosmic debris appear to originate from the constellation Perseus. In Greek mythology, Perseus, the son of Zeus and Danae, was best known for slaying Medusa and rescuing Andromeda from a sea monster — both fairly awe-inspiring feats, so the name of the meteor shower is definitely fitting.
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The fascinating occurrence is the result of Earth passing through debris (basically, ice and rock) left behind from a comet called Swift-Tuttle, which last passed by our planet in 1992. According to EarthSky.org, because the Perseid meteor shower is so steady, and the meteors are so colorful, the shower is considered one of the most beloved for astronomy fans in the Northern Hemisphere.
The peak moment for seeing the Perseids is when Earth moves through the bulk of the debris in mid-August. When we have less moonlight around this time period, you'll see more meteors. In 2023, astronomers say the meteor shower will be active from July 17 to August 24, and its peak will occur around August 13. Thanks to the fact that the moon will be in its waning crescent phase during the peak — and therefore emitting very little light — the shower will be even more of a spectacle.
Astrologically speaking, the waning crescent — which is just before the new moon — is associated with bolstered spirituality, wisdom, and self-reflection, so carving out time in mid-August to tune into the Perseids could prove to be a particularly emotionally fulfilling experience as well.
How to Watch the Perseids Meteor Shower 2023
If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, you'll have the best shot of seeing the Perseids meteor shower. To watch, head outside during the pre-dawn hours, and look up and to the north. If you're at a more southern latitude, look to the northeast.
Because the meteor shower appears to originate from the Perseus constellation, you'll want to pinpoint it in your night sky (perhaps with an app like Sky Guide or SkyView Lite). If you're having trouble finding Perseus, Space.com recommends looking for Cassiopeia, which is easier to spot, given its brightness. Keep a watch on any areas of dark sky that are in this general vicinity to see the shower. And note that you won't need a telescope or binoculars to see the meteors. Instead, experts advise allowing yourself to look at as much of the pitch black sky as you can — and allow about a half hour for your eyes to get accustomed to the dark.
Finally, trust that when you finally spot the Perseids, you're in for a visual treat — something ancient people believed to be a gift from the heavens.
