Bright Meteors Will Streak Across South Carolina In This August Perseids Meteor Shower

Prepare for a few nights and early mornings filled with added excitement in the skies over South Carolina this month as Perseids, the most beloved annual meteor shower, is expected to peak from August 11th through the 13th. Perseids has already begun to make an appearance, as the stream of the comet Swift-Tuttle appeared in July. However, the few meteors that have shown so far pale in comparison to the shower’s upcoming peak.

During the early morning hours of August 11 - 13, expect to see 50-60 meteors per hour.

Gabriel Gonzalez (noctografia) / 500px Collection via Getty Images

The peak also coincides with the stream’s closest proximity to Earth, making the ‘shooting stars’ easier to spot.

Flickr/Rocky Raybell

Perseids is named for the constellation to which it appears to be most closely located when viewed from Earth. The Perseus constellation is dedicated to Greek mythology’s Perseus, who slayed Medusa, the gorgon with hair made of poisonous snakes.

Wikipedia/Sidney Hall

Although it would be quite a scene to look up to the sky and see the fully-illustrated Perseus, here’s what the constellation looks like to the naked eye.

Wikipedia/Till Credner

If the skies are clear, then Perseids is sure to put on its typical magical show filled with meteor after colorful meteor sweeping across the night and early morning sky.

Flickr/Bill Dickinson

Most of the meteors will burn out by the time they reach 50 miles above the Earth’s surface. When you think about it, that’s pretty close!

Flickr/Nacho Rascón

Some tips on observing Perseids this year: watch from a spot that is as dark as you can find so ambient lighting doesn’t deter your visibility. Also, try to find a place that’s free of obstructions in all directions. Perseids is known to be seen all over the sky, not just near the constellation Perseus. And finally, be patient and prepare for the show. Perseids will peak over the South Carolina sky in the early morning hours of Augusts 11 -13, 2020.