The greatest sight has yet to arrive if you haven’t watched the shooting stars.
Perseid meteors might already be visible as the most awaited shooting star spectacle of 2024 intensifies. Fremont skywatchers can expect a grander display as we approach the peak from Aug. 11–13.
The Perseid meteor shower, which on Sunday and will go on till August, is traditionally an abundant show with 50 to 100 meteors per hour seen at its height under dark skies. They also contain a high number of fireballs bigger explosions of light and color that outshine standard meteors with their longer lasting “tails.” NASA attributes this to fireballs originating from larger cometary particles.
Top Places to Watch It From
The Perseids justify admirably going farther from city lights. To maximize your experience, locate the darkest sky available. Numerous national parks are certified as having dark skies. This interactive map of international dark sky parks useful guide if you’re vacationing during the peak time.
In California, two National Parks have certified dark sky,
- Death Valley
- Joshua Tree
In addition, Dark Sky International also certifies these Golden State locations:
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Town of Borrego Springs
- Town of Julian
Best Times for Observation
This year’s peak for Perseids corresponds with the first quarter moon which sets around midnight. This is good news as NASA suggests most meteors make their appearance during predawn hours. While no showers are expected at the rate of 150 to 200 per hour like it happened in 2016, the possibility of a Perseid meteor storm in 2028 is being discussed. That’s worth preparing for too.
What Makes Perseids Special
The Geminid meteor shower in December stands toetotoe with the brilliance of Perseids. Both are highlighted by fast and luminous meteors that generate fireballs and leave behind extended “wakes” of light and color, as per NASA documentation.
The prime difference for skywatchers between these two celestial events aligns with contradicting seasons summer and winter. Regardless of the meteor shower, viewers patience leads to rewards, which typically abound on warmer summer nights compared to chilly winter ones.
Additional Meteor Showers
While enjoying the show don’t overlook that the shooting stars and fireballs can come from sources other than Perseids. This summertime attraction converges with two separate minor meteor showers,
- The Delta Aquariid meteor shower, begins Thursday, hits maximum intensity on July 21, continues through Aug. 21
- The Alpha Capricornids launched July 7, reach a “plateau-like” maximum peak on July 30-31, ends Aug. 13
Understanding Meteor Showers
Meteors composing these celestial spectacles are usually referred to as “shooting stars,” but they’re made up of small debris fragments in space that disintegrate upon entering Earth’s atmosphere. The Perseid meteor shower happens when our planet traverses through dust particles and remains from comet named 109P/Swift Tuttle, which made its discovery in 1862. The light streaks are produced when these pieces touch the atmosphere and evaporate.
How To Watch
For the best watching experience in the Northern Hemisphere, select a dark, obstruction free spot away from city lights or other sources of light pollution after midnight till dawn following moon set. Expect improved viewing conditions over last year due to only 10% predicted moon illumination for this year’s peak nights August 12 and predawn August 13 – unlike last year when a full moon outshone meteor.
The Source, Swift Tuttle Comet
Earth’s passage through debris tiny pieces of ice and rock leftover by Comet Swift Tuttle, which previously neared Earth in 1992, creates the Perseids. The Perseids peak when Earth reaches the most dense and dusty region in Aug. 11-12. During years with no moonlight visibility improves with higher hourly meteor rates and during outburst years (like in 2016), hourly rates can climb between 150-200 meteors.
Capturing Images of Perseids
An enthusiastic skywatcher has quoted, “The undisturbed nighttime conditions let me capture an image that captures not just the brilliance of the meteor but also highlights the vastness of cosmos. The combination of a luminous meteor trail against a tranquil night sky backdrop conveys both awe and curiosity.”
Final Word
Before setting out to watch the Perseid meteor shower, make sure you find an open space free from cities’ light pollution. All you need is to take a blanket or folding chair, lie down, and let your eyes adjust to darkness. It could turn into one of this year most memorable astronomical displays for any stargazer – experienced or casual hence making all attempts worthwhile.
