Perseid in the Light

Dark skies are favored for viewing meteor showers -- so many are pessimistic about
this year's Perseids - (2006). While the Perseid meteor shower is scheduled to
peak this weekend - (August 11-13) - bright light from an almost full Moon will also
flood the night and mask the majority of relatively faint meteors. Still, skygazing
in the evening before the Moon rises (before about 10 PM local time) could reveal
spectacular earthgrazing meteors. Persisting even later into the moonlit night
can reward northern hemisphere watchers looking for occasional Perseid fireballs.
In fact, astronomer Jimmy Westlake imaged this bright Perseid meteor despite the
combination of moonlight and auroral glow over Colorado skies in August of 2000.