We’re a few weeks into 2023’s Perseid meteor shower, but the best is yet to come. It began on July 14 when Earth’s orbital path around the sun took it into the edge of a stream of dust and debris left by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle striking.
Earth will come out the other side of it on September 1, but coming up on Sunday, August 13 is the highlight—the densest concentration of meteoroids that will, fingers crossed, rain down upon our planet in a spectacular display of up to about 50-75 “shooting stars” per hour (according to the American Meteor Society). That’s about one every minute.
Here’s how to get the best from the Perseid meteor shower 2023 for you and your family:
Why You Need to Make a Plan
It’s worth making a plan to go see it because if you live in an urban environment you’re going to be disappointed.
It is possible to see some Perseids from anywhere on the planet, whatever the light pollution. There tends to be a few particularly bright “fireballs” produced by the Perseids, caused by larger-than-average meteoroids.
However, what you absolutely need if you’re to see the best of what the Perseid meteor shower has to offer is a dark sky free from light pollution.
That means planning a trip to somewhere with a dark sky that’s free from artificial light. It’s particularly worth doing this year because the peak occurs just a few nights before the new moon. That leaves peak night free of any moonlight.
Here’s how to see the Perseids meteor shower 2023 at its brightest and best:
1. Plan a Trip to a Dark Sky Site
What you need is a place that looks dark on a light pollution map. An easy shortcut is to go a place recognized by DarkSky, typically U.S. National Parks, State Parks and Recreation Areas where lights are either non-existent or have been properly installed to point down. However, any rural location is better than staying in or near a city.
2. Know The Peak Times
The Perseids will technically peak in North America just as darkness falls on Saturday, August 12, 2023. That means you can begin looking at the sky with your kids as soon as posible. However, the real “wow” moments will likely come a few hours later when the sky is at its darkest where you are (half-way between sunset and sunrise) and the radiant point of this meteor shower, the constellation of Perseus, is highest in the sky. That will be about 2 a.m. on Sunday, August 13, 2023, wherever you are.
3. Dark-Adapt Your Eyes
Don’t expect your eyes to be full of “shooting stars” straight away. The human eye takes at least 20 minutes to adapt to the darkness, so give it time. Don’t switch-on any white lights, instead using red light to find your way around if you need to.
4. Switch Off Your Smartphone
This is where most people bail-out. The white light of your smartphone’s screen will kill your night-vision for 20 minutes. In any case, looking at your smartphone while you’re supposed to be casting your eyes to the sky is counter-productive. Most are too easily distracted and lack the patience. They will never see a “shooting star.”
5. Know Where to Look
Perseids can appear anywhere in the night sky so don’t obsess about looking at the constellation Perseus, which will be rising in the northeast (as seen from anywhere in the northern hemisphere). In fact, if you see “shooting stars” close to Perseus they will likely be fast and short because they’re coming straight at you. Look north or south and you may see longer trails as they whizz across the night sky. Don’t even think about using binoculars or a telescope.
6. Give Yourself a Break and Relax
“Shooting star” gazing is tiring. Every hour or so give yourself a break, walking about and purposefully not looking at the night sky. Although laying on a blanket is the classic way of seeing the Perseids, a lawn chair—preferably with a reclining feature—is better for most people.
7. Keep Warm and Dry
Even in August in the northern hemisphere it can get chilly at night, particularly if you’re at altitude. Either way, be sure to have a warm jacket and a blanket for your legs. Watching “shooting stars” is a sedentary activity and it can chill your bones. It also helps to be waterproof since dew can form at night in some climates.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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