The peak viewing for the Perseids meteor shower is happening next week. Already considered the best meteor shower of the year, people all over the world are excited to catch the annual meteor shower.

Despite the fact that the Perseids appear every year, there are many things about it that people do not know.

5 Things to Know about the Perseids

Here are five of those things that you should know about the Perseids meteor shower:

Active and peak times of the Perseids meteor shower - The Perseids meteor shower is active from July 14 to August 24, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Perseids reach their peak at around mid-August. This year, peak viewing will begin on the night of August 11 and end on the dawn of August 12.

There are times that other events, such as the arrival of a supermoon, can hamper the Perseids meteor shower's peak viewing.

Where the Perseids originate from - the Perseids are actually the space debris of a comet known as comet 109P, otherwise known as Swift-Tuttle. The Swift-Tuttle orbits the sun once every 133 years. Our planet actually passes near the path of the Swift-Tuttle, which allows us to see the Perseids meteor shower.

Where the Perseids meteor shower got its name - The Perseids got their name from a constellation called Perseus, according to NASA, which is located near Aries and Taurus. The Perseids look like they're coming from the direction of Perseus but in truth, it can be pretty difficult to view the meteor shower from that vantage point.

One of the most plentiful meteor showers - The Perseids meteor shower is considered as one of the most plentiful meteor showers. The peak meteor count for the Perseids is up to 100 meteors per hour.

Fireballs - The Perseids are known for their fireballs, which NASA defines as "larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak."

The Best Place and Time to View

Peak viewing for the meteor shower is best done in the Northern Hemisphere during the predawn hours. However, there is also a possibility that you can catch some of the meteors as early as 10 p.m.

It is recommended to be in a place away from light pollution. If you're in a place that is located below 30 degrees south latitude, you will not be able to see the meteor shower.

A moonless night sky is also ideal for the Perseids meteor shower viewing.

Related Article: Perseids Meteor Shower: How to Catch It During Peak Viewing Next Week With NASA's Help

How to Use Your Smartphone, Social Media to View the Meteor Shower

Are you in a place where there is a lot of light pollution or do you live in the Southern Hemisphere? You can still catch the Perseids meteor shower thanks to technology and even social media.

NASA will stream the Perseids meteor shower on its Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube accounts. The stream will happen overnight from August 11-12 (10 PM-5 AM CDT; 3-10 AM UTC).

The Perseids meteor shower is one of the most beautiful events to take place on Earth and you may want to capture it using your camera. If you do not have a powerful camera to capture the meteor shower, you can use your smartphone.

Do not forget to set these smartphone camera settings when you try to capture the Perseids: manual or professional mode, ISO 4000, White balance 4000° Kelvin, f/2.8, and 20 seconds.

Also Read: Perseids Meteor Shower 2021: Best Smartphone Settings To Use, Viewing Peak Schedule, and More

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Written by Isabella James

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