The Perseid meteor shower is predicted to especially spectacular this year since there will be twice the number of particles in the sky, according to astrophysicist Chrysanthos Fakas.
The peak of the showers will occur between 11 and 13th August. It will be easier to observe the shooting stars after 10.30pm looking northeast.
The scientist said that the density of the meteor shower will increase to 200 per hour, twice the usual number.
NASA states that this is because the earth will encounter with more debris than usual as earth passes through the trail of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, which is the source of the Perseids. Jupiter’s gravity has attracted the stream of debris in such a way that earth will be closer to the centre of the stream, rather than the edge, NASA said. The last time these condition occurred was in 2009.
The meteor showers began in 17th July and are expected to last until 24th August.
Cyprus Mail
