One of the best shows in the night sky, the Perseids annual meteor shower, will peak Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, and if the weather cooperates, fortunate stargazers could see dozens of meteors per hour.
Despite light pollution and the local phenomenon known as “Fogust,” Richmond offers good opportunities to discover many exciting objects in the night sky, often without the help of a telescope or binoculars, and August is a great time to investigate.
The Perseids are active from July 14 to September 1, reaching a maximum on August 12 or 13 this year, and typically produce consistent meteors and occasional fireballs, also known as “shooting stars.” Rates observed from darker locations can range from 50 to 100 meteors per hour or more…