After a period of wet weather, the skies over Taiwan have largely cleared up—and just in time, too! One of the summer’s biggest astronomical events, the Perseid meteor shower, is about to reach its peak.
The annual Perseid meteor shower is the result of debris ejected from Comet Swift-Tuttle. This year, the meteors are set to peak between 10:00pm and midnight, Taiwan Time, with about 100 meteors streaking through the sky per hour.
Astronomers say they will be visible to the naked eye in the northeast sky. Meanwhile, meteorologists say that conditions will be good for viewing the meteors in northern Taiwan, with fair conditions in the central region. Those in the south hoping to see the meteors, however, might not be so lucky.
Large numbers of people are expected to head to into the mountains for an even clearer view of the meteors. In preparation, authorities have already put traffic controls in place on Yangmingshan in Taipei. Those hoping to catch a glimpse of the meteors will do well to head out early and beat the crowds.