The Perseid meteor shower peak is just a few days away

Don’t miss out on the annual astronomical event — here’s where and when to see the shower around Asheville.

Perseid meteor shower in the sky over a lake and hills

A radiant is the point from which meteors appear to originate during a shower.

In the wee hours of the morning, our sky will light up with a celestial show. The Perseid meteor shower, widely considered the best meteor shower of the year, is predicted to reach its peak on Monday, Aug. 12 or Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Christened in honor of the meteors’ radiant constellation Perseus the Hero, the Perseid shower will produce as many as 100 meteors per hour at its peak. (It’s worth noting that they actually come from a comet called 109P/Swift-Tuttle, not the constellation.)

The pre-dawn hours of Monday and Tuesday are the best time to see the Perseids around here, but if getting up early isn’t your thing, some meteors will be visible as early as 10 p.m. And if you want to get an advanced viewing, PARI — one of only two Dark Sky Parks in NC — is hosting a guided experience on Friday, Aug. 9.

More from AVLtoday
More than 1,000 of the unique works of art on the walls of the global steakhouse chain were created by WNC artist and UNC Asheville graduate David Soileau.
Summer may not officially be over yet — but pumpkin spice season is in full swing. Get your fill of the flavor at these Asheville spots.
Check out our guide to the many meaningful murals you can find around our city.
Check out some of the year’s cheapest flights leaving our local airport.
The Asheville chapter of this nonprofit organization introduces local veterans to highly trained canine companions — and they need volunteers to raise the puppies.
Find inspiration, innovation, and collaboration during a week dedicated to building local business.
See what’s in store for the inaugural festival from the literary nonprofit and get acquainted with some of the authors who will share their work.
What you need to know about the unique festival blending history, arts, and culture.
The NC Division of Parks and Recreation acquired 238 acres of high-elevation land as park of the state park’s land protection plan.
Find a local group of fitness friends to keep you motivated, introduce you to new tracks + trails, and make sweat-breaking a social occasion.