The Perseids Meteor Shower is an astronomical event that occurs annually from mid July to late August. This year, it will be peaking on the night of the 12th of August through to the early morning of the 13th in the Southern hemisphere. Don't worry if you miss the peak though, meteors should still be visible for up to 10 days afterword!
A clear view of the Milky Way at Lake Tyrrell, Australia. Photo credit: Karan Varshnei
The Perseids is known to be one of the best meteor showers of the year all around the world and tends to be bright enough to be visible even in mildly light polluted skies! It is caused by debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle which passes through earth's orbit every year as it travels along its oblong orbit around the sun.
Night sky at Lake Tyrrell viewing platform. Photo credit: Dan Colombo
We recommend you find a dark, open sky for viewing to make the most of it. Lake Tyrrell is one location that should produce spectacular views. A dark sky, over 200 square kilometers of open space and, depending on the wind, near-perfect reflections on the shallow salty water. Remember to rug up though, this meteor shower occurs at a time of year where it is not unusual for temperatures to drop below freezing at night! See our previous blog on astrophotography for more tips on finding a great location for watching and photographing this spectacular event!