How to Watch Perseids Meteor Shower

The Perseid meteor shower is one of the highlights of the stargazing year, the Old Faithful of meteor showers. Observed for nearly 2000 years, the Perseid meteor shower is made up of dust and particles left behind in the wake of Comet Swift-Tuttle. And more often than not, they are more than worth the late night--in 2000, a massive burst of Northern Lights hit the earth just as the meteors reached their peak.

Instructions

1. Mark your calendars. The Perseid meteor shower occurs every summer, from about mid-July to mid-August. Meteor activity is at its height, however, around the second week of August, and peaks around August 12th. Peak hours will vary by your location, but the best time to watch most meteor showers is between 2 a.m. and sunrise. At this point, your side of the earth is flying headlong into the meteor stream.

2. Get out of town. Light pollution is a huge killjoy when watching meteors burn up in the atmosphere, and the glare of cities can obscure fainter shooting stars completely. Get as far out into the country as reasonably possible--the further north, the better. Call local observatories, who have already occupied the best stargazing real estate, and ask their advice on finding ideal locales for watching meteor showers.

3. Monitor the weather. As beautiful as these meteors may be, you’ll never be able to spot them behind a thunderhead. Part of the appeal of the Perseids, of course, is that they take place during the clear nights of summer. They also last for weeks, so even several days of cloudy weather won’t completely upend your plans. Scattered clouds, on the other hand, can often clear unexpectedly, so don’t give up hope.

4. Try to coordinate with local astronomy or stargazing groups, as they will inevitably arrange ‘star parties’ to watch the meteors in action. These parties often prove to be friendly, welcoming gatherings of astronomy buffs and amateurs alike. Telescopes and binoculars are of minimal use when spotting meteors--they move too quickly--but they can still provide a welcome sight when pointed to the stars.

5. Know where to look. The Perseids are so-named because they seem to emanate from without the Perseus constellation itself, from a point called the radiant. The meteors appear low on the northeast horizon by midnight, and steadily make their way skyward until they lie about seventy degrees above the horizon just before dawn. Try to face with your back to the moon, especially if it is full.

6. Relax. As the night wears on, let your eyes adjust, and try to avoid any exposure to light--this can rob you of valuable night vision. Lawn chairs can prove to be a great investment for stargazing, as they allow the viewer to relax while not straining the neck. Have patience, and keep your eyes to the sky.

Tips & Warnings

• Many Perseid meteors, about half, actually leave a trail of smoke behind them, which remains visible for several seconds. So even if you miss the meteor itself, you can still marvel at the aftermath.