Stargazers, assemble！The peak of the Perseid meteor shower is here

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department, compiled and reported

According to international media reports, NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has released meteor shower information, exciting stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts around the globe. The annual Perseid meteor shower in August is one of the three major meteor showers of the year and is also forecasted by the International Meteor Organization (IMO) to be the most spectacular meteor display in terms of the number of meteors. The best nights to view the Perseid meteor shower are August 11 and 12, with the peak activity occurring on the 12th.

Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau indicates that the peak of the Perseid meteor shower is expected to occur between 21:00 and 23:30 Taiwan Time on the night of the 12th. By looking towards the eastern sky, you can expect to see about 150 meteors per hour. To avoid moonlight and urban light pollution, it is recommended to observe after 23:00 on the evening of August 12 through the early hours of August 13, which will be the optimal viewing period for the meteor shower.

The Nanying Astronomical Museum in Daliao District, Tainan, has opened its Newtonian reflector telescopes for public stargazing to welcome the Perseid meteor shower. On the night of August 12 from 20:00 until 04:00 the next morning, the museum is hosting astronomy lectures, stargazing tours, telescope exhibitions, and observation activities. It will also accommodate up to 100 people for overnight stays at the observatory.

According to the recommendation of the Taipei Astronomical Museum, the best locations for meteor observation are those with wide-open views and a sufficiently dark night sky—areas unobstructed by mountains, buildings, trees, streetlights, or residential lighting. Among possible spots, high-altitude mountains above 2000 meters where cloud formation is unlikely are ideal. When selecting a site, choose areas within a 45°–60° field of view around the shower’s radiant point that are completely free of obstructions.

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