Generic meteor shower. (Photo by © Can Stock Photo / Rastan) Generic meteor shower. (Photo by © Can Stock Photo / Rastan)
Chatham

Perseid Meteor Shower To Reach Full Peak August 12

As many as 100 meteors per hour will shoot past Chatham-Kent during the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower on August 12.

Backyard astronomer Gary Boyle, who is the former president of the Ottawa Centre chapter of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, says local residents may see over 100 meteors per hour during that night.

"Every time a comet that comes from the far depths from our solar system rounds the sun, it makes a beautiful dust tail. This dust and other materials, that are sent off the comet, linger in space," explains Boyle.

Boyle says no telescope or special equipment is required to catch a glimpse of the shower.

"They occur anywhere and everywhere in the sky, so really it's best to get outside the city or town... step outside, bring a lawn chair, bug spray for sure, and just watch Mother Nature's greatest show," says Boyle.

According to Boyle, the meteor shower began July 17 and will continue until August 24.

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