The annual Perseid meteor shower will be visible in Sri Lanka, peaking tonight and into early tomorrow morning, according to Astrophysicist Gihan Weerasekara.
Addressing the media, Gihan Weerasekara said that 100 meteors per hour are expected to be seen, given the sky conditions.
What is the Perseid meteor shower?
Meteor showers are made up of debris from comets in our solar system. This particular shower stems from a comet called 109P/Swift-Tuttle. The meteors crash into the Earth’s atmosphere at an average speed of 36 miles per second, then vaporise, leaving glowing streaks of light behind them.
When do they peak?
The exact day that the Perseids shower peaks will be today, Tuesday, August 12. It will peak from midnight and continue until early next morning. The best time to view is at 05.00 am tomorrow, facing the North.
How can I watch?
Just look up. There’s no need for any special equipment. You should be able to see Perseids with the naked eye, so long as the conditions are good. (Newswire)
