August has the best meteor shower of the year

Along with the Geminids meteor shower in December, the Perseid meteor shower is one of the two biggest meteor showers of the year. The Perseid meteor shower is created from dust left behind by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle as it passes by Earth and is shed.

Perseids appear in the sky from July 23 to August 22 every year, peaking on the night of August 12 to the morning of August 13 (Sunday night, Monday morning) with the highest density of about 60 - 80 meteors per hour.

This year, the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13 coincides with the second day of the lunar calendar, so there will be no moon. Therefore, if weather conditions permit, astronomy enthusiasts will have an ideal opportunity to observe this meteor shower.

The best time to observe is from 2am on August 13. Observers should look towards the eastern sky, where the constellation Perseus is located, the center of this meteor shower. Choose a place with little light and dust. Note, check the weather forecast before observing.

Another interesting astronomical phenomenon in August is the partial solar eclipse. Unfortunately, Vietnam will not be able to observe this eclipse. In addition, in August, astronomy lovers will have the best opportunity of the year to observe Venus on the night of August 17 and the best opportunity of the year to observe Mercury on the night of August 26.