Perseid meteor shower lights up the night sky

The Perseid meteor shower peaks on August 11 and 12, and is best enjoyed away from city lights after the moon sets early in the evening. Prepare for cold temperatures and bring supplies to attend a local meteor viewing event for a comfortable and spectacular night under the meteors. (Artistic concept). Copyright: SciTechDaily.com

The 2024 Perseid meteor shower, which peaks on the night of August 11, is expected to be an impressive display, although viewing may be slightly hampered by the waxing moon.

Ideal viewing conditions include clear, dark skies away from city lights, and the rain is best enjoyed by attending a local viewing party, staying warm, and being patient. Helpful Resources NASA Other astronomy sites offer tips and tools for tracking the peak of cloud showers.

Perseid meteor shower 2024

Are you ready for the Perseid meteor shower in 2024? It is expected to peak on the night of August 11 through the morning of the 12th, with good viewing possible on the nights before and after. You may have already spotted some Perseids streaking across the summer sky!

These showers are part of a debris stream from the comet. Swift-TottleThis season begins in mid-July and lasts through the end of August. While most of these nights only see a few meteors per hour, the peak of the Perseids brings more and more. How many more meteors? The number actually varies each year; there may be only a few dozen per hour, but in some rare years, a short “burst” of up to two hundred beautiful “shooting stars” per hour can be brought.

Viewing terms and timing

This year’s Perseids will be slightly influenced by a 53% waxing moon, but the moon will set just as the Perseids begin to peak! This means that if you’re in an area without light pollution and enjoy clear skies, you might be able to see a fair number of meteors throughout the night! How many will you be able to see? There’s only one way to find out how strong the Perseids will be this year: go outside and watch them patiently!

Tips to improve your viewing experience

We have some tips on how to make the most of your meteor shower viewing experience:

• Get out of town! Try to get to the darkest place possible. The darker you are, the more meteors you will see streaking across the sky.
• Check the weather forecast for that night. You may need to check two or three areas to get forecasts for fog, clouds, and temperature. Some weather sites also offer forecasts specifically designed for sky watching. Make sure the sky is clear to match the dark.
• Find a meteor shower! Go to a gathering of like-minded people at a local park, or an event hosted by a local astronomy club—especially if it’s your first time! Find a Perseid meteor shower by searching the Night Sky Network For clubs near youor by Find events near you

• Stay warm and comfortable outside – be prepared! You’ll be outside for a long time and you’ll want to lie on your back to enjoy as much of the sky as possible. To keep warm, bring a blanket, jacket, hat, a warm drink, and water. You might think it’s silly to bring some warm clothing in the middle of summer, but late at night the temperature can drop enough to be chilly. If you’re in an area with bugs, you’ll want to apply some bug spray to avoid those pesky bites.
• Bring your friends and family! Being together under a starry sky is great, and it also has the added bonus of having more eyes in the sky! Groups can spot more meteors than individuals and help each other find “hot spots” in the sky. (Also – if you’re out in the dark in the wilderness, good company helps you feel safer.)

Resources and Additional Information

For more information about one of our favorite meteor showers, see NASA’s Perseid meteor shower page And EarthSky’s Great Observing GuideYou should also check that: Jet Propulsion LaboratoryThe “What’s New?” video for August 2023 (embedded above) features Preston Dykes offering great tips on how to watch the Perseids, as well as other objects to look for in the night sky while you wait for these spectacular streaks. You can also use NASA’s Fluximator Meteor Shower Activity App To try to predict when activity will peak at your location. We also have a flyer you can use for star parties and awareness events: Watch out! It’s a meteor shower. Resources page.

I hope you enjoy and we hope you have clear skies and great weather for your meteor shower party!