Look to the Sky: 2012 Perseid Meteor Showers Not Over Yet

Did you miss out on seeing meteors last night? Look up again tonight!

According to NASA, while the rates of meteors will be lower — about 40 per hour — skywatchers can still see Perseids after 10 p.m. The best times to view them will be from midnight to dawn, with peak rates between 3 and 5 a.m.

Sky gazers should look for dark, clear skies away from city lights. NASA recommends lying on your back and looking straight up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. Allow your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust to the dark.

About the Perseids 

The Perseids have been observed for at least 2,000 years and are associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun once every 133 years. Each year in August, the Earth passes through a cloud of the comet's debris. These bits of ice and dust — most over 1,000 years old —burn up in the Earth's atmosphere to create one of the best meteor showers of the year. The Perseids can be seen all over the sky, but the best viewing opportunities will be across the northern hemisphere. Those with sharp eyes will see that the meteors radiate from the direction of the constellation Perseus. 

Check out 10 facts about Perseids from SPACE.com. 

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