In case you haven’t heard, the annual performance of the iconic Perseids meteor shower officially started on July 17, set to stretch through August 23. Known for being one of the most active meteor showers throughout the year and taking place during the warmer nights of summer, this meteor shower is perfect for Coloradans hoping to catch a bit of celestial activity overhead.

The Perseids meteor shower tends to produce around 50 to 75 shower members per hour during dates of peak activity, according to the American Meteor Society (AMS), with Colorado’s high-elevation terrain and vast open space typically making for the perfect place to spot the show.

This year, however, there’s some bad news related to the shower that might be a bit of a buzzkill – when Perseids meteor shower activity peaks between August 11 and August 13, the moon will be a waning gibbous – about 84 percent full. The ample amount of light being reflected off the moon at this time is expected to “severely compromise this shower at the time of maximum activity,” according to AMS. AMS continues to note that moon brightness of this level can tend to reduce visible activity by 75 percent or more, with only the brightest of meteors still visible.

Even still, if only 75 percent of Perseids’ meteors are visible at its peak, that’s still more meteors than are visible during many other meteor showers that take place throughout the year.

Despite the bright moon and possible cloud cover, it’s always worth tracking down a viewing opportunity when the Perseids are over Colorado. Find a spot away from city lights and look up, it’s that simple. It’s also worth noting that with this meteor shower set to take place for several weeks, shower members will be seen outside of peak dates when the moon isn’t quite as bright, too – just not in the same numbers.

Learn more about the Perseids meteor shower and other upcoming meteor showers on the American Meteor Society website.

STAY INFORMED: Get free Colorado news with our daily newsletter (Click here)

In case you haven’t heard, the annual performance of the iconic Perseids meteor shower officially started on July 17, set to stretch through August 23. Known for being one of the most active meteor showers throughout the year and taking place during the warmer nights of summer, this meteor shower is perfect for Coloradans hoping to catch a bit of celestial activity overhead.

The Perseids meteor shower tends to produce around 50 to 75 shower members per hour during dates of peak activity, according to the American Meteor Society (AMS), with Colorado’s high-elevation terrain and vast open space typically making for the perfect place to spot the show.

This year, however, there’s some bad news related to the shower that might be a bit of a buzzkill – when Perseids meteor shower activity peaks between August 11 and August 13, the moon will be a waning gibbous – about 84 percent full. The ample amount of light being reflected off the moon at this time is expected to “severely compromise this shower at the time of maximum activity,” according to AMS. AMS continues to note that moon brightness of this level can tend to reduce visible activity by 75 percent or more, with only the brightest of meteors still visible.

Even still, if only 75 percent of Perseids’ meteors are visible at its peak, that’s still more meteors than are visible during many other meteor showers that take place throughout the year.

Despite the bright moon and possible cloud cover, it’s always worth tracking down a viewing opportunity when the Perseids are over Colorado. Find a spot away from city lights and look up, it’s that simple. It’s also worth noting that with this meteor shower set to take place for several weeks, shower members will be seen outside of peak dates when the moon isn’t quite as bright, too – just not in the same numbers.

Learn more about the Perseids meteor shower and other upcoming meteor showers on the American Meteor Society website.

STAY INFORMED: Get free Colorado news with our daily newsletter (Click here)