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NASA tells Americans to flee cities if they want to see Perseid meteor shower this weekend
The biggest and best meteor shower of 2024 is upon us - but NASA officials have warned Americans they'll need to leave the city to catch it properly.
The Perseid meteor shower, which will peak at midnight Sunday into Monday morning, is expected to produce between 50 and 75 shooting stars per hour.
But the US space agency warned that if you live in an urban area, light pollution could seriously dim the cosmic show.
Skygazers should head outside between 12am and 5:30am to see the meteors, which will appear in the northeastern sky.
This peak period occurs when there is almost no moon and the sky is especially dark, providing the perfect backdrop for dozens of shooting stars.
The Perseid meteor shower will peak this weekend between Sunday, August 11 and Monday, August 12
'Try to get to the darkest location you can. The darker it is where you are, the more meteors you will see streaking across the sky,' NASA wrote in a press release.
The Perseid meteor shower began on July 14 and is set to run until September 1, but the best viewing is this weekend.
The event happens every year when Earth plows through debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle comet during its trips through the inner solar system.
As it shoots through the sky at a maximum speed of 26.5 miles per second, the comet leaves behind a trail of dust and debris.
Earth's orbit crosses paths with Swift-Tuttle's orbit, causing the comet's dust and debris to burn up in our atmosphere and create the Perseid meteor shower.
NASA has nicknamed it the 'fireball champion' of annual meteor showers for its record-breaking number of super bright meteors.
It's a show you won't want to miss. Luckily, NASA has expert advice for anyone hoping to spot the Perseids this weekend.
First and foremost, you'll want to find a place outside of the city with very little light pollution and an unobstructed view of the sky.
To locate the meteor shower, viewers should look for the Perseus constellation which is the 24th largest constellation in the sky.
The constellation is located in the northern region on the night sky.
Try looking for an International Dark Sky Park near you or consulting a light pollution map to find the best spot.
Check the local weather forecast before you go to make sure that clouds or rain won't obstruct your view, and make sure to pack warm clothes, bug spray, and anything else you might need to stay comfortable.
Comet emit trails of dust and debris as they streak through the sky. The debris trail of the Swift Tuttle comet is what causes the Perseid meteor shower.
Shooting stars from the Perseid meteor shower.
Once you get to your dark sky location, you'll need to know when and where to look up at the stars.
The meteors will be brightest when the night sky is darkest - which is during the pre-dawn hours after the moon sets and before the sun rises.
No matter where you are in North America, the moon will set at around midnight.
To spot the Perseids, you can look anywhere in the night sky. They'll appear to come from the Northeast where the constellation Perseus (their namesake) will rise after dark.
While you're watching, try not to look at your phone or any other source of white light. Doing so will disrupt your night vision and make it difficult to see the meteors.
You also shouldn't use a telescope or binoculars to look for the Perseids. These magnifying instruments will actually make it much harder to see shooting stars.
If you miss the meteor shower's peak, don't worry. The Perseids will still be visible through the end of August.
But if you can get out to see them this weekend, you'll be in for a spectacular show.