Perseid meteor shower peak visible in PH on August 12 — PAGASA

One of the most anticipated annual events for skywatchers, the Perseid meteor shower, will peak and be visible in Philippine skies on Tuesday evening, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In its calendar for this month’s astronomical events, PAGASA said around 150 meteors are expected to be seen per hour during the peak.

“The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most anticipated annual events for skywatchers, is active from 17 July to 24 August, with a strong peak occurring on 12 August,” PAGASA said. 

“Under dark skies, it is expected to generate about 150 meteors per hour during the peak,” it added.

PAGASA said the visibility of the shower begins around 10:06 p.m. each night, when its radiant point rises above the eastern horizon, and continues until dawn begins around 05:16 a.m. 

The agency advised that the ideal time to observe the shower is around 05:00 a.m. to 06:00 a.m. when the radiant is positioned highest in the sky.

“At the time of the shower’s peak, the Moon will be in its last quarter phase in the constellation Pisces, causing considerable interference with meteor viewing,” PAGASA said.

According to PAGASA, the Perseids originate from debris left by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle and appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News