The 2018 Perseid Meteor Shower takes place from July 17 to Aug. 24, as the earth passes through the debris path of the Swift-Tuttle comet. Skygazers may see the most action during the overnight on Aug. 12 and early morning of Aug. 13, but you can still see plenty of the meteor shower before and after that.
According to space.com, the shower will be visible from the Northern Hemisphere to the mid-southern latitudes. NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke told the site that the 2018 Perseids will be the best shower of the year.
Space.com recommends these tips for the best viewing: "Go to a dark area, in the suburbs or countryside, and prepare to sit outside for a few hours. It takes about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark, and the longer you wait outside, the more you'll see. A rate of 60-70 meteors per hour, for instance, means around one meteor per minute, including faint streaks along with bright, fireball-generating ones."
If you want to join local skygazers, there are a couple of special viewings.
- Head to the Fernald Preserve Visitors Center in Hamilton for a prime view of the Perseid Meteor Shower. The Cincinnati Astronomical Society will be at Fernald to discuss the ins and outs of the shower and they’ll also have telescopes on hand for guests to view Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. The event is open to the public. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on, snacks and a relaxing attitude to just chill out and stare at the night sky while the universe provides the entertainment.10 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday (Aug. 10). Free. Fernald Preserve Visitors Center, 7400 Willey Road, Hamilton, 513-648-3330, lm.doe.gov/fernald.
- The Cincinnati Nature Center is also hosting an Aug. 11 viewing at Long Branch Farm in Goshen. Events start at 9 p.m. with a "Saturn Toss" and s'more making. Bring a lawn chair.9-11:30 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 11). $7-$16. Long Branch Farm, 6926 Gaynor Road, Goshen. Pre-register here.
