My love of stargazing started as a child – late nights staring through my grandfather’s telescopes, gazing up at the Milky Way during camping trips, and the whole family sleeping in the backyard to watch meteor showers in the summer. The thrill of stargazing hasn’t changed for me, and I know I am in good company. There is something awe-inspiring about the stars, even more so when they seem to be falling through the sky. The month of August brings a stunning show you don’t want to miss. Keep reading to find out more about it and to see how and where to best view this meteor shower in Southern California.
The Perseids meteor shower is considered the best meteor shower of the year for viewing, with an average of 50 to 100 meteors seen per hour.
This meteor shower is at its peak every year in mid-August as the earth passes through the dust cloud of the Swift-Tuttle comet. The warmth of summer nights in August is wonderfully convenient for stargazers.
This year, the peak night for viewing the Perseids is Saturday, August 12, and into the wee hours of the morning on Sunday, August 13. You can also expect to see some meteors on the nights just before and just after the peak.
The Perseids began on July 14 and will continue until September 1, but are not generally visible for most of that time.
Perseids are known for being bright, moving swiftly across the sky, and leaving long colorful “wakes” or trails behind them. These particular showers are also known for fireballs - bigger, brighter, longer-lasting streaks in the night sky.
Because of the location of the radiant point in the night sky, the Perseids are mainly only visible to people in the Northern Hemisphere - fortunate for us! The meteors can be seen across the entire sky, as long as its dark enough, with best viewing between midnight and dawn.
So, how do you make sure you get the best view of the Perseid meteor shower? You need clear, dark skies with a minimum of (preferably none) ambient light.
One of the best places in Southern California to view the shower is Joshua Tree National Park, known for its deep, dark skies and epic stargazing, especially in August. Out here in the desert, away from city lights - and considering the peak occurs just before the new moon - you will find yourself in the ideal place for the best viewing. You will also likely have incredible views of the Milky Way.
Grab your camping gear and head for the desert for some epic falling star viewing! You don’t need a telescope or any special viewing gear for this celestial event.
You may, however, want a chair that you can lay back in for a couple of hours comfortably - like this reclining chair designed for stargazing. I suggest a cozy blanket, some hot cocoa, and a camera.
Have you been able to see the Perseids meteor shower in the past? Will you be going to the desert to see it this year? If camping is not your thing, or you don’t have the gear for it just yet, there is an awesome cabin on the border of the park where you can view the show in perfect comfort.
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