Perseid meteor shower brings celestial fireballs to Tennessee. Here's the best time to view
Backyard astronomers and stargazers can look to the night sky for the next several weeks to watch the prolific Perseid meteor shower. The celestial fire show started on July 17, but the meteor shower is almost a month long.
"The Perseids, which peak in mid-August, are considered the best meteor shower of the year," according to NASA. "With swift and bright meteors, Perseids frequently leave long 'wakes' of light and color behind them as they streak through Earth's atmosphere."
Usually, this fairly prolific celestial show is a fiery sight producing large, bright meteors during peak viewing, but for 2025 that light will be dimmed due to the moon. Here's what to know.
When is the peak of the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseid meteor shower will peak on the night of Aug. 12 into the early morning of Aug. 13.
How many meteors can be expected during Perseid's peak?
People can expect to see 50 to 75 meteors per hour under ideal conditions during the peak, according to the American Meteor Society.
The large, bright meteors, usually referred to as fireballs, won't be as spectacular this year due to how close the Perseid peak is to the August full moon.
When is the next full moon?
August's full moon, known as the Sturgeon moon, reaches peak at 3:55 a.m. ET/2:55 CT on Aug. 9.
When is the best time to watch the Perseid meteor shower in Tennessee?
Stargazers can catch the meteor shower between midnight and dawn, according to the society. The Perseid meteor shower can be seen anywhere with a clear sky and not a lot of light pollution.
Considering the peak is just a few days after the full moon, a good day to have a great view happens on July 24. That's when the new moon rises, according to the Farmers' Almanac.
If you are looking for a different experience, multiple Tennessee state parks are holding a couple of nighttime events for the peak of the meteor shower.
You can find information on night hikes and viewing events across the Volunteer State. Some of the events do cost to participate.
Night hike at Burgess Falls State Park
Viewing at Burgess Falls State Park
Kayak float at Old Fort
When is the last night of the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseid meteor shower ends on Aug. 21
USA TODAY contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Perseid meteor shower: Here's where, when to view celestial fireballs
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