Heads up, astronomers, space lovers, and daydreamers: Tonight is the night to wish upon a star, as we pass the densest point of the dust trail left by the Swift-Tuttle comet, with Earth facing straight into the mess left behind.
This year, evening Earthgrazers on Aug. 11 could be the best part of the show, because the Moon and its interfering glare will be below the horizon in early evening. Dark skies = good meteor watching. Later, when Earth’s “front windshield” rises, the Moon will rise with it, reducing the number of Perseids you’ll be able to see before sunrise on Aug. 12.
So remember to go out early, between 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. local time. If you live in a big city, the amazing show is well worth a quick travel to the countryside. [NASA via Róisín Murphy]
Here’s a completely unrelated video, one of my favorites from Ms. Murphy. You know, just because her tweet reminded me about this must-see event, and her music kicks some serious buttocks.
