Amman: The skies over Jordan and the wider region are set to witness the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower from Tuesday night until dawn on Wednesday, caused by Earth’s passage through debris left by the Swift-Tuttle comet, which orbits the Sun every 133 years.
According to Jordan News Agency, despite difficult viewing conditions this year with the peak coinciding with a waning gibbous Moon and lingering dust and clouds, astronomers have emphasized that the spectacle remains one of the year’s brightest meteor showers. They urge enthusiasts to observe from dark locations away from city lights.
Hanna Sabat, Director of Scientific Affairs and Training at the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Western Asia, noted that the shower would peak between the nights of Aug. 12 and Aug. 13, with an expected 50-75 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. However, visibility will be significantly reduced by moonlight, though meteors will still be visible in the days around the peak.
Sabat explained that most meteor showers originate from comet or asteroid debris whose orbits intersect with Earth’s. As the planet crosses these trails, particles burn up from friction with atmospheric gases, producing bright streaks across the sky. The Perseids appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus.
Jordanian Astronomical Society President Ammar Al-Sukaji stated that the Perseids’ peak theoretical rate is about 100 meteors per hour, but this year’s moon phase and heavy dust will sharply limit viewing. In Jordan, the radiant will be highest after midnight, with meteors generally visible to the northeast.
Perseid particles range from sand grains to bean-sized fragments. Larger pieces, known as fireballs, enter the atmosphere at speeds over 216,000 kph and burn up 70-100 km above Earth. The shower is harmless, as fragments disintegrate before reaching the ground.
The Swift-Tuttle comet last passed perihelion in December 1992 and will next do so in March 2126. It is currently about 6.4 billion km from Earth and requires large telescopes to observe.
Ali Al-Taani, professor of astrophysics and space sciences at Al-Balqa Applied University, said that this year’s peak will see only about 10-20 meteors per hour under prevailing conditions. The shower runs annually from July 17 to Aug. 24, with the best viewing around 5 a.m. Wednesday local time. He advised escaping city lights and allowing time for eyes to adjust to darkness.