The annual Perseid meteor shower—which brings a wondrous display of “shooting stars”—has begun and will peak overnight Saturday, August 12 through the early hours of Sunday, August 13, 2023.
Anyone who gets themselves away from light pollution and under a dark sky (and is awake from midnight through dawn) will—if the weather is clear—have a great chance of seeing dozens of “shooting stars.”
Check out a Light Pollution Map and Find a Dark Sky Place for thousands of locations you could be on August 13 (and the nights leading up to it) that will be dark enough to see the celestial event.
Here’s a selection of organized events and dark sky destinations in North America to consider:
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Attend an astronomy program a few evenings before and for the Perseids consider Trail Ridge Road, Kawuneeche Valley, Beaver Meadows and Lake Irene for 360º views, according to My Colorado Parks.
Frosty Dew Observatory, Rhode Island
The Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center will be open to ticket holders ($5) from Saturday, August 12 at 8:30 p.m. through Sunday August 13 at 2:30 a.m. for a weather-permitting observing event.
Manitoulin Eco Park, Ontario, Canada
The Manitoulin Eco Park in Tehkummah—also a Dark Sky Preserve—will hold a ticket-only (CA$40) observing event led by experienced astronomy guides. It takes place across four nights, August 11-14.
Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
Situated between the U.S. National Parks of Canyonlands and Arches is the small, but dramatic Dead Horse Point State Park that doubles as an International Dark Sky Park. Its Kayenta campground is perfect for stargazing, but the view from its Dead Horse Point observation platform—above a gooseneck in the Colorado River—is truly spectacular.
Eastern Sierra Observatory’s Perseids Party, Nevada
Act now to secure one of the last few tickets for the Perseids Meteor Shower Party (August 10-14, $185) organized by Eastern Sierra Observatory near Bishop, California, but taking place on private land in Sage Valley, Nevada. You can stay in Lovelock or bring a tent/RV. Includes lectures and telescopes.
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, Michigan
The HQ of the newly designated Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, the historic wilderness lodge Keweenaw Mountain Lodge on a peninsula has a golf course that doubles as an ideal night sky viewing area. Nearby are the undeveloped Lake Superior lake front, Fort Wilkins State Park and Brockway Mountain.
Acadia National Park, Maine
With relatively dark skies given its closeness to Boston and New York, Acadia National Park is popular for stargazing. Although there’s no specific organized event, there is an astronomy lecture on Sand Beach about Acadia’s night sky (9-10 p.m.) on the evening of August 13 following the peak.
Prineville Reservoir State Park, Oregon
The Beaver State’s only International Dark Sky Park, Prineville Reservoir State Park northeast of Bend is in the high desert, with a 3,000-acre lake ensuring dark skies ideal for spotting “shooting stars.”
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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