Perseids to be most spectacular meteor shower this year, but Hong Kong Observatory predicts bad weather
Rain and heavy clouds may obstruct view on Friday and early on Saturday, predicted to be period of highest frequency of shooting stars in city
Stargazers will have a chance to feast their eyes on the most spectacular meteor shower this year – the Perseids – on Friday night, if the weather permits.
The peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower – one of the most impressive in the Northern Hemisphere – is expected to occur most intensively in Hong Kong from 9pm to 11.30pm on Friday with 150 meteors crossing the sky every hour.
Hong Kong Space Museum’s assistant curator Prince Chan Chun-lam said this year’s Perseid meteor shower is in a “good” observing condition – the second top level in the five-tier rating system.
“This year’s Perseid meteor shower has more meteors than last year because Jupiter is drawing more space debris ... nearer to earth,” Chan said.
“Usually the Geminid meteor shower that occurs in December is another much anticipated one that will bring as many meteors as the Perseid, but we are predicting strong moonlight during the peak of Geminid this year, so the Perseids are expected to be the most spectacular one this year,” he said.