Have you ever seen a shooting star? What about 100?
The Perseid meteor shower — aka the Perseids — is predicted to take place throughout July and August. The shower happens when Earth passes through the trail of Comet Swift-Tuttle, offering spectators across the globe the opportunity to see ~100 meteors per hour when the shower is at its peak.
Ready to go meteor hunting? Check out our guide below.
🔭 When to view
The best time to watch the meteor shower is late at night or in the predawn hours during its peak tonight. This will provide the opportunity to see the brightest + most numerous meteors.
Bonus: Even if you can’t watch the Perseid meteor shower during its peak, you can still catch views of the shower throughout August.
📍 Where to go
When choosing a spot to watch the Perseids, aim for a location that is away from man-made light. Here are some spots that we suggest:
- Dix Park, Big Field | Fri., Aug. 12 | 9-11 p.m. | Check out the meteor shower through telescopes with the Morehead Planetarium & Science Center and Raleigh Astronomy Club; the event includes music by the Triangle Sax Ensemble.
- Fred Fletcher Park, 820 Clay St. | Somewhat light polluted, but open after dark.
- Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Wake Forest | Somewhat light polluted, but open after dark; the Raleigh Astronomy Club recommends the Falls Lake Dam off of Falls Management Center Road.
Pro tip: You don’t need binoculars or a telescope to view the Perseids. If you have trouble finding the shower, make sure you are looking at the darkest part of the sky and allow your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
🔦 What to bring
- Blanket
- Light jacket (or even a sleeping bag)
- Chairs
- Bug Spray
- A red flashlight (learn how to make your own.)
Pro tip: Pick up bakery items + snacks from Weaver Street Market in case you get hungry. (Psst… try the Weaver Made Chocolate Chunk Cookie pack.)