The most dramatic thing to see in the night sky in August is the Perseid meteor shower, which is going to be one of the best meteor showers of the year. In the early morning of August 13, the day before Double Seventh Festival, the traditional Chinese Valentine's Day, the Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak this year, and observers will be able to catch dozens of meteors per hour.

Photo taken in August 2020. The Perseid meteor shower is in Zhangye, Gansu.(photo: Xinhua)

The Perseid meteor shower in August, the Quadrantid meteor shower in January and the Geminid meteor shower in December are known as the three largest meteor showers in the northern hemisphere due to their large number of meteors. The Perseids are the most popular meteor showers because they reach their peak on the warm night of August.

Best observation time:

12 midnight-05:30 am

This year, the Perseid meteor shower is extremely large. The maximum number of meteors is from the early morning of August 13 until dawn. Theoretically, the number of meteors can reach about 110 per hour. However, observers will see fewer meteors with the naked eye.

In 2021, the Perseid meteor shower will be active from July 16 to August 23, and the number of meteors will increase every night until it reaches a peak in mid-August and then gradually weakens. This year's peak falls on the evening of August 12 and before dawn on August 13.

Photo taken in July 2020, show The Delta Aquarius South Meteor Shower in Yinchuan, Ningxia.(photo: Xinhua)

Tips for observing meteor shower:

This year, observers will have a high chance of seeing fireballs. They are very bright meteors with long rows. It allows photographers to take beautiful star photos.

For ordinary observers, you don't need to resort to any professional stargazing equipment, as long as you can reduce the amount of light pollution in the field of view. Go to the country, a nearby park, or if your back is facing a street light, so you can catch more fainter meteors. If the moonlight is weaker, you can see more meteors.

Author | Alice

Editor | Monica, Jerry