Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Aug 11-13

The best night to watch the Perseid meteor shower is August 12, according to the EarthSky website.

"The meteors will fall most abundantly — from anyplace worldwide — from about 2 a.m. until dawn on Sunday, August 12," as noted on EarthSky's 2012 meteor shower guide.

 Neat Facts to Note

• A waning crescent moon enhances the meteor show.
• Venus and Jupiter are visible in the eastern sky, with a bonus third planet joining the planetary duo.

"As an added treat — on August 11, 12 and 13 — the moon will be sweeping past the brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, in the eastern predawn sky," the EarthSky website notes.

Mercury will join Venus and Jupiter in the morning sky around the peak Perseid time.

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For more information on the Perseid meteor shower, check out blogger Aaron Turner's

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The EarthSky website recommends using binoculars to view Mercury near the horizon's sunrise point, approximately one hour before sunrise.