Off The Record

This Weekend Will See The Apex Of The Year’s Most Active Meteor Shower, And You Don’t Want To Miss It

Published on August 13, 2024

This is a public service announcement for all space enthusiasts.

I promise you won’t want to miss it, since this weekend is expected to see the peak of the year’s most active meteor shower.

Forbes reports that this weekend will see the Perseid meteor shower take over the skies and beyond. If you’re ready to see everything that’s beautiful and heavenly, we have all the information you need.

When is the Perseid meteor shower going to hit?

Since July 14, when the Perseid meteor shower first appeared, we have been able to see glimpses of shooting stars. The shower is expected to persist until September 1.

The American Meteor Society, however, states that the peak will happen about 04:00 UTC on August 12, so that’s the best guidance we can give you. It will peak on the night of Sunday, August 11, to Monday, August 12.

Where is the best location to watch the Perseid meteor shower?

NASA research states that this year’s Perseid meteor shower will be somewhat impacted by a 53% waxing moon; however, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem because the moon should have set by the time the shower begins.

It’s worth noting that the quantity of “shooting stars” genuinely fluctuates year over year; a few dozen can be seen in an hour, but in extremely uncommon years, there may be a quick “burst” of up to two hundred!

Other tips

NASA also advised being prepared, wrapping up in case it becomes chilly, and checking the weather before leaving early in the morning if you wanted the best viewing experience!

I mean, what could be worse than waking up at 4 AM to find yourself buffeted by a merciless wind, even though it feels like summer? Thus, be sure to check the weather and wear proper clothing and footwear before you leave.

The second piece of advice is to leave the city since, even though clear skies are predicted, you want to be able to completely enjoy the celestial phenomena, which means no lights.

Prepare for one of the greatest cosmic events of the year this weekend by getting yourself to a remote, dark place.

The last extra piece of advice is to try to plan a meteor shower party to meet others who share your interests and who will be dying to see some shooting stars.

This will increase the safety precautions if you’re with a group and enhance the enjoyment of the encounter.

It is not a good idea to venture out on your own at that hour of the morning, especially into places where it will take longer for aid to arrive. Besides, who doesn’t enjoy a good party?

That’s it, people. Make sure your wishes are ready, because this is going to be an amazing night.