Perseids Meteor Shower 2021: Watch Shooting Stars In Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT — Prepare to be dazzled. One of the year's most stunning skywatching shows is back to light up the night sky in Manchester and around the world.

Now through Aug. 24, stargazers can watch the Perseids meteor shower streak through the nighttime sky with its large explosions of light and color illuminating its path. According to NASA, the Perseids are considered the best meteor shower of the year, with up to 100 meteors seen per hour.

The best chance to see this "celestial fireworks" show in Manchester is generally during the wee hours before dawn, though NASA says at times it is possible to view a few of the meteors from this shower as early as 10 p.m. Meteor numbers increase after midnight, EarthSky.org reports.

While the Perseids are active now, the American Meteor Society says these fast and bright meteors will peak in Manchester the night of Aug. 11-13. To see the greatest number of shooting stars, look up at the dark sky starting around 2 a.m. EST in Manchester.

Along with good timing, location is also key. To get a good view of these fireballs soaring through the heavens, find a dark sky. If that’s not possible, just know the number of visible meteors per hour drops to about 30 or 40 in the suburbs, and those in downtown city centers will see almost nothing at all.

Here are some tips to get the most out of your nighttime meteor-watching excursion, courtesy of the Old Farmer's Almanac:

• Spend about 20 minutes outside for your eyes to fully adjust to the darkness of the night sky.
• Look for a location with a wide-open view of the sky, free from obstructions like tall trees or buildings.
• If the moon is out, try to face away from it when looking for meteors.
• Avoid looking at your cell phone or other lights during the meteor shower, as this will damage your night vision.
• Spread a blanket on the ground and get cozy!

If the weather, a bright moon, or your location in Manchester prevents you from seeing the Perseids meteor shower, don't worry! NASA has you covered. A live broadcast of the meteor shower from a camera at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama will be available on the NASA Meteor Watch Facebook starting around 8 p.m. CDT on Aug. 11 and continuing until sunrise on Aug. 12.