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The Perseid meteor shower, one of the year's most anticipated celestial events, is set to peak on Tuesday night (August 12) and early Wednesday morning (August 13). During this time, stargazers can expect to see up to 60 meteors per hour, although the bright moonlight from a waning gibbous moon might limit visibility. According to NASA, the moon will wash out the fainter meteors, reducing the visible count to about 10 to 20 per hour.
The Perseid meteor shower occurs annually as Earth passes through the debris trail left by the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, giving the shower its name. The best viewing times are between midnight and dawn, with optimal conditions in rural areas away from city lights. EarthSky suggests avoiding looking directly at the moon to enhance the chances of seeing meteors.
Despite the bright moon, the Perseids remain a favorite for many due to their bright, fast-moving meteors. The BBC notes that the Perseids have been observed for nearly 2,000 years, with some of the earliest records from ancient China. The shower is expected to continue until September 1, with reduced activity after the peak.