Fireworks, but make it totally silent and all-natural. That’s my kind of light show, and the Perseid Meteor Shower—the most popular meteor shower of the year—peaks this weekend, August 11-13. While you can probably see the natural display from your backyard, heading to darker skies pays off. I’ll never forget my first time watching the Perseids during a summer I spent at a dude ranch in a remote Colorado canyon. There were so many meteors, my fellow spectators and I eventually stopped counting, observing the myriad meteors flying through the sky in total awe.
To make the most of your Perseid experience, there are a few things to keep in mind as far as how to escape light pollution if you live in a city, when exactly to watch, and how to set yourself up for celestial success. This is your guide to the 2024 Perseid Meteor Shower.
When can I see the Perseid Meteor Shower?
While the Perseids technically kicked off in mid-July and last through August, the peak arrives in the wee hours of August 11. Peak Perseid activity lasts through the early morning of August 13. This year, the lunar situation is very favorable, with a quarter moon setting around midnight. Read: Darker skies, brighter meteors!
The best time to view will be after midnight (or after the moon sets in your area) until dawn. For night owls, you might as well just stay up late and peep the meteors at midnight. Early birds can set their alarms for 3:30 a.m. or 4:00 a.m. to catch the show.
Where can I catch the Perseids?
Technically, the Perseid Meteor Shower is visible anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere and above mid-latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere. But like any celestial phenomena, the darker the skies above, the better the show. Generally speaking, you’ll want to escape urban light pollution and head somewhere more rural. If you’re looking for good dark sky destinations, check the official list of Dark Sky Places, certified by the international nonprofit DarkSky. Unsurprisingly, many destinations on the list are state or national parks, some of which offer camping.
Another consideration is the forecast. If clouds obscure the sky, you won’t be able to see many meteors. If your area has precipitation or overcast skies in the forecast during peak Perseids, consider traveling somewhere clearer for a better viewing experience.
The ultimate place to catch the Perseid Meteor Shower might just be my home state of Utah, which has the greatest concentration of certified Dark Sky Places in the world. As the second driest state in the country, Utah is also likely to have clear skies, especially in August. I’ll be watching from my campsite at Bear Lake along the Utah-Idaho border.
What is the Perseid Meteor Shower?
You’ve probably heard that “shooting star” is a misnomer. But what exactly is a meteor shower? This light show in the sky is a great reminder that earth is on the move—and right now, we’re literally cruising through a bunch of debris that’s burning up as it enters our atmosphere. All this debris is coming from a 16-mile wide comet named Swift-Tuttle. It’s kind of like looking at hail pelting your windshield as you drive through a storm—except that these meteors are on fire about 60 miles above you.