perseid meteor shower 2011

The moon is getting quite large and bright within the August 2011 sky. But until about August 10, there's a moon-free window for watching meteors before dawn.

We have gotten very near the peak of August’s famous Perseid meteor shower. Meanwhile, the moon is waxing quite large and bright in the sky. In 2011, full moon will come on August 13, a peak morning for that Perseids. But - between from time to time - we now have a window for watching meteors inside a dark sky after midnight and before dawn. The Perseids will rise gradually to their August 13 peak. Between August 5 and August 13, the meteors will be flying. EarthSky recommends watching before dawn until the morning of August 10 to have moonless skies. Before dawn is one of the best time of night for watching meteors, anyway, since which is when the radiant point for that Perseids is highest in the sky. Bright moonlight will drown all but the brightest meteors from view on the mornings of August 12 and 13 - the height mornings for that Perseid meteor shower. Still, many report the thrill of seeing a bright meteor streaking along in the light of the moon. So, on the peak nights for the August 2011 Perseids, enjoy the moon and watch for the really bright meteors streaking along in its glare.