Final probability to view Perseid meteor bathe in Washington tonight, Aug. 22-23

One of probably the most dazzling meteor showers of the yr is about to take a bow and exit stage left, however there’s nonetheless time for stargazers in Washington state to catch one final present.

The annual Perseid meteor bathe, which is thought for its abundance of capturing stars and spectacular fireballs, will remain active via Aug. 23. While the Perseids peaked on Aug. 12-13, a handful of capturing stars from this meteor bathe ought to nonetheless be seen throughout the darkest hours of the evening, in response to the American Meteor Society.

A darkish new moon and clear skies throughout Washington in a single day tonight, Aug. 22-23, ought to give skywatchers an excellent alternative to catch the tail finish of the Perseids, as long as they’re keen to lose out on some sleep and get away from sources of sunshine air pollution comparable to shiny metropolis lights.

Here’s a viewing information for the Perseids in Washington, together with darkish locations to catch the present and upcoming meteor showers to look out for as soon as the Perseids say goodbye.

Will it’s cloudy in Washington state tonight, Aug. 22-23?

Skies throughout Washington state are anticipated to be largely away from the kind of clouds that completely hinder views of the evening sky tonight, Aug. 22-23, in response to cloud forecasts supplied by the National Weather Service.

Sky cowl percentages in Western Washington, together with the better Seattle space, ranged from simply 3% to eight% at 2 a.m. Aug. 23, in response to NWS predictions. These are thought-about glorious situations for viewing the evening sky, in response to Space.com.

The image remained encouraging for Eastern Washington, the place sky cowl percentages ranged from 2% to eight%, together with 7% in Spokane.

What is the most effective time to view the Perseids?

The greatest time to view the Perseids is throughout the darkest hours of the evening, sometimes between 2 a.m. and daybreak, in response to the American Meteor Society.

Skywatchers don’t want particular gear, comparable to telescopes, to view the Perseid meteor bathe.

“All you need to watch a meteor shower is your eyes, patience, and a mostly cloud-free night,” in response to the Planetary Society. “Go out, get comfortable, and stare at the sky.”

Where are darkish sky locations in Washington?

Skywatchers can improve their probabilities of seeing capturing stars the farther away they’re from metropolis and suburban gentle air pollution. Fortunately, Washington is thought for its many darkish sky parks and locations. These are a few of the greatest stargazing spots within the state, in response to Go Astronomy:

Where do meteors come from?

Meteors come from the damaged bits and items of comets and asteroids, in response to NASA. The Perseids come from the particles path left by the 109P/Swift-Tuttle comet, which takes 133 years to orbit the solar. As the Earth passes via the comet’s icy particles path yearly, particles crash into the environment and “disintegrate to create fiery and colorful streaks in the sky,” in response to NASA.

The place within the sky that the Perseids appear to come back from is the constellation Perseus, which is the place the Perseid meteor bathe received its identify, in response to NASA.

Where do meteors come from?

Meteors come from the damaged bits and items of comets and asteroids, in response to NASA. The Perseids come from the particles path left by the Swift-Tuttle comet, which takes 133 years to orbit the solar. As the Earth passes via the comet’s icy particles path yearly, particles crash into the environment and “disintegrate to create fiery and colorful streaks in the sky,” in response to NASA.

The place within the sky that the Perseids appear to come back from is the constellation Perseus, which is the place the Perseid meteor bathe received its identify, in response to NASA.

Fall meteor bathe will carry ‘fireball swarm’

The Orionids shall be seen from Oct. 2 via Nov. 12. According to the American Meteor Society, the bathe will peak round Oct. 22-23. The power of this bathe varies from about 10 meteors per hour at its peak as much as round 75 in a powerful yr.

The Southern Taurids, in response to AMS, will run from round Oct. 13 to Nov. 27. There are two part and two peaks. The annual portion will peak round Oct. 14. But the “fireball swarm” will peak Nov. 4. This is a swarm yr. The entire bathe is fireball-heavy.

The Northern Taurids will begin round Oct. 13 and run till Dec. 1. The peak nights shall be Nov. 8-9, and it operating concurrently the Southern Taurids results in elevated fireball experiences in October and November.

When is the following full moon?

The subsequent full moon will happen at 11:08 a.m. PT on Sept. 7, 2025, in response to Time and Date.

When is the Perseid meteor bathe in 2026?

The Perseid meteor bathe is predicted to be lively from July 17 to Aug. 24, 2026, in response to the International Meteor Organization. In 2026, the Perseids will peak on Aug. 13 throughout a brand new darkish moon, a really favorable time to see capturing stars and fireballs within the evening sky.

Contributing: Bonnie Bolden, USA TODAY Network

This article initially appeared on Kitsap Sun: Perseid meteor shower stages final show in WA tonight, Aug. 22-23