The Perseids, a hallmark astronomical event of the midsummer night sky, will begin in earnest on the night of the 12th. This year, moonlight will barely interfere at the shower's peak, making for favorable viewing conditions.
According to the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) on the 12th, the calculated peak time for this year's Perseids is 12 p.m. on the 13th. The exact peak will not be visible in Korea, but the main viewing windows are from the night of the 12th to the early morning of the 13th, and from the night of the 13th to the early morning of the 14th.
The Perseids occur as Earth passes through dust and debris left by the comet "109P/Swift-Tuttle." The particles collide with Earth's atmosphere and burn, creating bright streaks of light.
The International Meteor Organization (IMO) projects a maximum hourly rate of 100 meteors. However, that figure assumes sufficiently dark skies and good observing conditions, and the number of meteors visible can drop depending on real-world factors such as city lights or clouds.
This year coincides with the new moon phase, so even faint meteors are expected to be relatively easy to see. Conditions are improved from last year, when a bright moon lit up the night sky.
No telescope or binoculars are needed. It is best to get away from city lights, find an open view, and look at a wide swath of sky. Waiting about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark will help with viewing.
Several other astronomical events also line up in mid-August. In the early morning of the 12th in Korea, a so-called "planet parade" appeared, with six planets—Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, Saturn and Neptune—above the horizon, and during the same period a total solar eclipse unfolds on the opposite side of Earth.