The annual Perseid meteor shower is underway and, while stargazers look forward to the summer light show, this year’s meteor shower won’t be quite as spectacular as last year.
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Last year is what scientists refer to as an “outburst year” when as many as 200 meteors an hour were visible during peak viewing times.
This year space buffs can expect to see a typical number of meteors, about 80 an hour.
The Perseids started on July 17 and will be visible until August 24 as the Earth crosses paths with the comet Swift-Tuttle.
This year’s shower is expected to be more difficult to see, as well, because of the three-quarters full moon, which rises in the nighttime sky late around 11 p.m.
The peak viewing time for the Perseids this summer, according to Space.com, will be Aug. 11 through Aug. 13 between midnight and dawn.