Dazzling Perseids Meteor Shower: 100 shooting stars per hour expected to light up Malaysian skies on Aug 12 night

File photo for illustration purposes only. Photo credit: Pixabay

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Aug 11: Malaysians will have a unique opportunity to witness the Perseids Meteor Shower, with up to 100 ‘shooting stars’ expected per hour from 9pm on Aug 12 (tomorrow) til the dawn of Aug 13.

According to the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) in a recent press release, this year’s meteor shower will be especially visible in Malaysia, as the moon sets at midnight during the peak viewing hours, minimising light interference, for this rare sky phenomenon.

For the best viewing experience, find a dark location away from city lights, where light pollution is minimal. Avoid areas obstructed by tall buildings, trees, or houses.

Observers are advised to allow their eyes to adjust to the darkness for about 20 minutes. There is no need to focus solely on the Perseus constellation, as meteors can appear from any direction at any time during the shower.

The Perseids Meteor Shower is named after the Perseus constellation, where the meteors seem to originate in the northern sky. However, the meteors can emerge from various directions. This annual event occurs as Earth passes through the orbital path of Comet Swift-Tuttle during its journey around the sun.

The Swift-Tuttle Comet, with a nucleus of approximately 26 kilometres in diametre, completes its orbit every 133 years. It last approached Earth in 1992 and is expected to return in 2126.

As the comet nears the Sun, the heat causes its dust to sublimate, creating a trail of debris. When Earth crosses this path, the debris enters the atmosphere and burns up, creating the spectacular streaks of light known as meteors. — DayakDaily