Perseid Meteor Shower 2021: Wish Upon a Star
Kids love space, and the feeling of wonder they get thinking about the cosmos has only been heightened by all the recent news of space tourism. The battle of the billionaires has really captured imaginations, and it’s only natural that children dream that one day they could be up there looking down at our planet too.
But until fares come down a little, our little ones will have to settle for looking up in awe rather than down. Luckily, every year one of the most exciting astronomical events in the calendar coincides with the school summer holidays – the Perseid meteor shower.
What are the Perseids?
They are an annual meteor shower caused by debris left from a comet years ago. Each year, Earth passes through this debris between mid-July and late August. Once Earth enters the debris, the amount of shooting stars gets gradually higher until they reach their peak around mid-August. The peak in 2021 will be the 13th August when there will be around 100-150 per hour, which is enough wishes to keep anyone happy. After 13th August there will be a sharp decrease in the amount of shooting stars that you get to wish upon, so try to get out there before the 13th rather than afterwards.
Do I need a telescope to see them?
No, you don’t need anything except your eyes and a clear view of the sky. Obviously, it needs to be dark, and the darker the better. That might mean going to a local park, or maybe even going camping. But you should still be able to see them in your back yard, or even in the street if you make sure you’ve got your back to any streetlights. The Perseids are visible as soon as it gets dark, but the best time is usually between midnight and 5am. So if you have a tent, maybe book a couple of nights somewhere in the countryside and make a night of it.
Will I definitely see them?
There’s no guarantee but if you find a dark place on a clear night between 10th and 13th August you’d be pretty unlucky not to at least see a few. With 100+ an hour you shouldn’t have to wait too long either. They can appear anywhere in the sky so take a mat and lie on the ground looking up, to take in as much of the sky as you can.
I love seeing these meteor showers – such a pity they are so late at night though.
I have e never seen a meteor shower but I would love to
Always rains when the person is overhead
Me and my kids love watching the meteor showers when we’re able too. It’s so fascinating ⭐️💫☄️
We love star gazing and watching for meteor showers!
How beautiful! I love the idea of introducing the children to the night sky. I enjoyed lying in the grass looking upwards for hours.
This is so interesting!
love this!! My son is obsessed with stars
I’ve been lucky enough to see meteor showers but I’d love to see more where there is less light pollution
often to late at night and cold but have stayed up to watch