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Perseids Meteor Shower -- NASA Tries to Catch a Falling Star
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The Perseids Are Past Their Peak -- But More Opportunities Abound


posted: 06:22 pm ET
13 August 1999

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The Perseids meteor showers have peaked but if you are lucky you might get a last look tonight. If that doesnt work, there are more spectacular shows on the way.

Look to the northeast late tonight and early tomorrow and you could see some of the last vestiges of the Perseids meteors. Binoculars and telescopes are not necessary and observers should look northeast though meteors may appear in any part of the sky.

If luck isnt on your side, no worries.

According to the American Meteor Association, high sporadic activity continues for the rest of the year. Mid October to mid December will provide a nearly continuous period of heavy activity.

From the American Meteor Assciation Web site:

The Orionids (max: October 21) during the second half of October have a prolonged, plateau maximum for several nights, usually rich. The Taurids (max: November 5 for S. Taurids, November 12 for N. Taurids), active for two months, are most numerous in November's first half, and can be rather variable in strength. This period is the best for a couple of Taurid fireballs each night, if the shower is not too weak. The Leonids of mid-November (max: November 17) are quite unpredictable, with rich displays occuring roughly every 33 years, with 1999 being a predicted "storm" year. Surprising Leonids outbursts occur even in between storm years.

 

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