Astronomers and enthusiasts are gearing up for a weekend of stargazing wonder as the Perseid Meteor Shower prepares to reach its peak.
The peak of the shower is set to light up the night sky this weekend, with experts predicting a spectacle that's not to be missed.
The shower is produced by debris left behind by 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which orbits Earth at regular intervals.
Alia Sayeed, an astronomer with Educating Youth in Engineering & Science (EYES), shed light on the phenomenon.
“As this comet passes earth some of its pieces fall off, it's called space dust, and when that space dust interacts with our atmosphere, it burns up and it makes this beautiful array of a colourful shower almost,” she elaborated. “It looks like falling stars, but it's actually just like tiny little grains of sand interacting with our atmosphere, but it is so spectacular to watch.”
She further revealed that the Perseid Meteor Showers peak is expected this weekend due to the precise orbit of 109P/Swift-Tuttle.
“It's pretty hard to pinpoint a perfect day because we can predict the orbit, but we can't really predict when things are going to fall off of this comet,” she explained. “It's kind of a prediction of how close this comment gets to Earth and this is like the closest point it's going to get. The probability of something happening is very likely this weekend, possibly a little bit next week as well.”
In terms of experiencing the meteor shower, Sayeed noted that no special equipment is needed.
"It's actually better to watch with the naked eye, as the meteors move quickly across the sky,” she stated. “Using telescopes or binoculars might cause you to miss the fast-moving display."
Encouraging everyone to take advantage of this celestial event, Sayeed urged individuals to venture into their backyards, away from city lights, for the best viewing experience.
“The meteor shower is a rare sight that showcases the importance of preserving our night skies and it's a reminder of the beauty that can be lost if we don't protect our environment," Sayeed concluded.
The Perseid Showers are active from July 14 to September 1.