By: Ellalyn V. Ruiz
Filipinos will be able to watch one of the year’s most dazzling meteor showers this weekend as the Perseids meteor becomes extra visible Saturday night until early Sunday morning.
If the sky permits, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said the famous Perseids meteor shower will be observed during its peak in the late evening and early morning hours from August 12 to 13.
At least 50 or more meteors per hour will be observed during its peak time.
Perseids meteor shower radiate out from the constellation Perseus, which is located in the eastern horizon.
The meteor shower arises out of the debris of comet Swift-Tuttle which last made a pass by Earth in 1992.
PAGASA said meteors are easiest to observe if there is no moonlight and light pollution and clear sky condition exists.
Meanwhile, the ridge of high pressure area, an anti-cyclone weather system, will prevail over Luzon and Visayas today.
PAGASA pointed out that cloudy to cloudy skies except for isolated light to occasionally heavy rains, gusty winds, and lightning will be experienced over the whole country.
So far, it does not expect the formation of a tropical cyclone inside its area of responsibility that may affect the country over the weekend.
