Aurora-like displays of shooting stars will be visible tonight as the Perseid meteor shower hits its peak. However, a bright moon in Austin may obscure the view. According to Lara Eakins, senior program coordinator at UT Austin’s Department of Astronomy, the moon’s position makes it harder to spot meteors. The agency estimates that 10-20 meteors will be visible per hour during the peak.
The best viewing time is after midnight into early Wednesday, when the shower started on July 17 and ends August 23. To get a clear view, observers are advised to head outside city limits or find dark spots with minimal light pollution in their backyards. This allows the eyes to adjust to darkness and spot the streaks of light caused by comets.
The Perseid meteor shower is caused by comets traveling through the solar system, leaving behind debris paths that intersect with Earth’s path. The Swift-Tuttle comet creates the annual shower, which is replenished by other comets. Eakins explained that different comets can create varying debris paths, leading to multiple showers throughout the year.
Viewers can use telescopes or binoculars to spot Saturn while searching for meteors, as it’s near the moon tonight. The Perseid meteor shower is a rare opportunity to witness celestial wonders, and those who venture out will be rewarded with spectacular views of shooting stars.
Source: https://www.kut.org/science/2025-08-12/perseid-meteor-shower-shooting-stars-nasa-sky-comet