The best meteor show of the year peaks this Sunday, but you may want to consult the weathercaster before scheduling a trip to your favorite dark place.
The forecast is mostly clear for tonight and Friday night, but partly cloudy for the expected peak of the Perseid meteor shower in the early-morning hours Sunday and Monday.
Moonlight is not a significant factor this week. Cloudy weather, which often interferes with viewing of the Perseids in Tucson, is the only wild card.
The real key to enjoying a meteor shower is patience, said Adam Block of the Mount Lemmon Sky Center. At its peak, the Perseids produce 60 to 80 streaks per hour.
If you're looking tonight or Friday, that number reduces significantly.
Block is hosting a public evening atop Mount Lemmon for the peak Sunday night and is hoping the sky is clear for it. A few reservations are still available.
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Kitt Peak National Observatory is also hosting a "Meteor Mania" show on Monday night that was nearly full by Wednesday.
MORE IN TODAY'S STAR
Learn more about the Perseids in Tim Hunter's Sky Spy column on Page 21 in today's Caliente section.
ONLINE
Mount Lemmon meteor info: skycenter.arizona.edu/news/announcements
Kitt Peak "Meteor Mania" info: noao.edu/outreach/kpvc/meteor-mania.php
Contact reporter Tom Beal at tbeal@azstarnet.com or 573-4158.
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