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A huge "supermoon" will accompany this year's Perseid meteor shower,
in one of the most dramatic astronomical events of the year. More than
100 meteors an hour speed by during the annual display, which takes
place on the second week of August. The shower is due to reach its
peak on Tuesday, but this year the display has a shining rival – the
Moon. On Sunday the Moon will become full as it reaches the point in
its orbit that is closest to the Earth, known as perigee. It will
appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons during
the year. It could mean that the meteor shower does not stand out as
much as it would on a typical year. Dr Bill Cooke from Nasa's
Meteoroid Environment Office said: "Lunar glare wipes out the
black-velvety backdrop required to see faint meteors, and sharply
reduces counts." But he said that the Perseids were "rich in fireballs
as bright as Jupiter or Venus" that would remain visible despite the
Moon's glare. Tony Markham, director of the Society for Popular
Astronomy's meteor section, said skywatchers should stay optimistic.
"The Perseids are rich in bright meteors and so many Perseids will
still be seen despite the moonlit sky background," he said. "If
possible, keep the Moon hidden behind trees or a nearby building." The
best time to see the meteors is between Saturday and Wednesday, with
activity peaking on Tuesday. At perigee, the Moon is around 31,000
miles closer than when it is furthest away from the Earth. Supermoons
occur every 13 months and 18 days, but are not always noticed because
of clouds or poor weather.
Sky News
