\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrepare for Perseids!\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Dark](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/perseids-2023-preston-dyches-6048x4024-1.jpg?w=1536\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nA view of the 2023 Perseid meteor shower from the southernmost part of Sequoia National Forest, near Piute Peak. <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCredits: <\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA\/Preston Dyches<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAre you ready for the 2024\u00a0Perseids<\/strong>? Their peak is expected to be on the night of\u00a0August 11 through the morning of the 12th<\/strong>, with good seeing to be had the nights\u00a0before and after. You may have already spotted a few Perseids streaking across the\u00a0summer skies!\u00a0This shower, part of the debris stream of comet\u00a0Swift-Tuttle<\/a>,<\/strong>\u00a0actually starts in mid to late July and lasts through\u00a0most of August. While most of these nights only showcase\u00a0a few meteors each hour,\u00a0the peak of the Perseids\u00a0brings many, many more. How much more? The number actually varies every year; there can be as little as a few\u00a0dozen per hour, but some rare years bring\u00a0a brief\u00a0\u201cburst\u2019 of up to two hundred beautiful \u201cshooting stars\u201d an\u00a0hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/perseid-meteor-shower-8-11-15-20526349219.jpg?w=2048\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nImage of a Perseid meteor streaking over Joshua Tree National Park.<\/div>\nBrad Sutton\/National Parks Service<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThis year\u2019s Perseids will be slightly impacted by a 53% waxing Moon, but the Moon will set\u00a0right as the Perseids begin to peak! This means that if you are in an area free from light pollution and enjoy\u00a0clear skies, you may be able to see quite a few meteors over the course of\u00a0the\u00a0night! How many will you be able to see? There\u2019s only\u00a0one way to find out for yourself\u00a0how strong the Perseids will be this year:\u00a0go outside and patiently watch!<\/p>\n
We have a few tips on how to make the most of your meteor shower viewing experience:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\n\n![\"Map](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/screenshot-2024-05-01-172041.png?w=1224\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nIf you trace the meteor trails of the Perseids back to their source, you will find they seem to come from a spot near the constellation Perseus \u2013 hence their name, and the name of most meteor showers.<\/div>\nWhat\u2019s Up: August 2023, NASA\/JPL<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n- Get out of the city!<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Try to get to the darkest location you can. The darker it is where you are, the more meteors you will see streaking across the sky.<\/li>\n
- Check the weather forecast for that night.\u00a0<\/strong>You may need to check out two or three areas for predictions on fog, clouds, and temperature. Some weather sites even offer forecasts specially tailored for sky watching. Make sure you have clear skies to go along with those dark ones.<\/li>\n
- Find a meteor shower party!\u00a0<\/strong>Go to\u00a0a gathering of like-minded folks in a local park, or an event hosted by a local astronomy club \u2013\u00a0especially if it\u2019s your first time!\u00a0Find a Perseids\u00a0party by searching the Night Sky Network\u00a0for clubs near you<\/a>, or by\u00a0searching for events near you<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Stay warm and comfortable outside-be prepared!<\/strong>\u00a0You will be out for a good long while and will want to lie flat on your back to soak up as much of the sky as possible. To stay cozy, bring a blanket,\u00a0jacket,\u00a0hat, a warm drink, and water. You may think it\u2019s silly to bring some warm clothes in the middle of the summer, but late at night the temperature can drop just enough to be chilly. \u00a0If you are in a buggy area, you will want to apply\u00a0some bug spray to avoid irritating bites<\/li>\n
- Bring your friends and family!\u00a0<\/strong>Company under\u00a0starry skies is\u00a0wonderful, and they provide a bonus\u00a0since there are\u00a0more eyes on the sky! Groups can spot more meteors than single individuals and help each other find \u2018hot spots\u201d in the sky. (Also-\u00a0if you are out in the wilderness in the dark, good company helps you feel safer.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For more information on one of our favorite meteor showers, check out NASA\u2019s Perseid page<\/a> and EarthSky\u2019s great observing guide<\/a>. You should also check out JPL\u2019s\u00a0August 2023\u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s Up? video<\/a> as Preston Dyches offers great\u00a0tips on how to watch for the Perseids, as well as other objects to look for\u00a0in the night skies while you wait for these\u00a0brilliant streaks.\u00a0You can also use NASA\u2019s\u00a0\u201cFluximator\u201d meteor shower activity application <\/a>to try to predict when the peak activity will be for your location.\u00a0 We also have a handout you can use at your star parties and outreach events:\u00a0Heads up! It\u2019s a Meteor Shower<\/a> resource page.<\/p>\nHave fun and may you have clear skies and great weather for your meteor shower party!<\/p>\n
Originally posted by Dave Prosper: August 2018<\/em><\/p>\nLast Updated by Kat Troche: May 2024<\/em><\/p>\nPowered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\nGet The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The annual Perseid meteor shower is scheduled to peak this August 11-12. Cross your fingers for good weather, find a nice dark spot to bring a blanket or lounge chair, and get ready to relax and spot some meteors. Continue reading
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA\/Preston Dyches<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Are you ready for the 2024\u00a0Perseids<\/strong>? Their peak is expected to be on the night of\u00a0August 11 through the morning of the 12th<\/strong>, with good seeing to be had the nights\u00a0before and after. You may have already spotted a few Perseids streaking across the\u00a0summer skies!\u00a0This shower, part of the debris stream of comet\u00a0Swift-Tuttle<\/a>,<\/strong>\u00a0actually starts in mid to late July and lasts through\u00a0most of August. While most of these nights only showcase\u00a0a few meteors each hour,\u00a0the peak of the Perseids\u00a0brings many, many more. How much more? The number actually varies every year; there can be as little as a few\u00a0dozen per hour, but some rare years bring\u00a0a brief\u00a0\u201cburst\u2019 of up to two hundred beautiful \u201cshooting stars\u201d an\u00a0hour.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Perseids will be slightly impacted by a 53% waxing Moon, but the Moon will set\u00a0right as the Perseids begin to peak! This means that if you are in an area free from light pollution and enjoy\u00a0clear skies, you may be able to see quite a few meteors over the course of\u00a0the\u00a0night! How many will you be able to see? There\u2019s only\u00a0one way to find out for yourself\u00a0how strong the Perseids will be this year:\u00a0go outside and patiently watch!<\/p>\n We have a few tips on how to make the most of your meteor shower viewing experience:\u00a0<\/p>\n For more information on one of our favorite meteor showers, check out NASA\u2019s Perseid page<\/a> and EarthSky\u2019s great observing guide<\/a>. You should also check out JPL\u2019s\u00a0August 2023\u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s Up? video<\/a> as Preston Dyches offers great\u00a0tips on how to watch for the Perseids, as well as other objects to look for\u00a0in the night skies while you wait for these\u00a0brilliant streaks.\u00a0You can also use NASA\u2019s\u00a0\u201cFluximator\u201d meteor shower activity application <\/a>to try to predict when the peak activity will be for your location.\u00a0 We also have a handout you can use at your star parties and outreach events:\u00a0Heads up! It\u2019s a Meteor Shower<\/a> resource page.<\/p>\n Have fun and may you have clear skies and great weather for your meteor shower party!<\/p>\n Originally posted by Dave Prosper: August 2018<\/em><\/p>\n Last Updated by Kat Troche: May 2024<\/em><\/p>\n Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The annual Perseid meteor shower is scheduled to peak this August 11-12. Cross your fingers for good weather, find a nice dark spot to bring a blanket or lounge chair, and get ready to relax and spot some meteors. Continue reading <\/a><\/figure><\/a><\/figure>\n
\n