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This Summer's Biggest
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Grab a lawn chair and a blanket -- and watch the show!
The annual August Perseid meteor shower probably ranks as the all-time favorite meteor shower of the year. This major shower takes place during the lazy, hazy days of summer, when many families are on vacation. And what could be more fun than watching this summertime classic? The 2015 Perseid meteor shower will happen from July 13 to August 26, with activity peaking around August 12 and 13.
This year should be an especially good year for Perseids since the new moon on August 14, 2015 will not come out until after sunrise.
No matter where you live, the 2015 Perseid meteor shower will probably be at its best on the nights of August 12-13 when the shower peaks. Try the nights before and after that, too. Before dawn viewing is best. You'll often see 50 to 100 meteors per hour. They radiate from a point in the constellation Perseus the Hero, and are typically fast and bright meteors frequently leaving persistent trails. Each year, the Perseid's combine with the Delta Aquarid meteor shower to produce the year’s most dazzling display of shooting stars! (Tips for best viewing below.)
