Tuesday, December 17, 2024

How to Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower in Northern California

One of the most active meteor showers of the year is expected to peak this weekend, and the weather in Northern California looks perfect for trying to catch a glimpse. According to NASA, the Perseid meteor shower is visible between late July and mid-August each year. . Given the right viewing conditions, 50 to 100 meteors can be seen streaking across the sky every hour. When to watch the Perseid meteor shower in California will be mainly clear on Saturday and Sunday nights. The best time to view is between midnight and 5 a.m. That time window is after moonset and before sunrise, allowing for dark possibilities. It is better to wait for the constellation Perseus to go up after 11 pm. The horizon and the crescent moon set in the west. The biggest challenge in Northern California is finding a place dark enough to allow our eyes to see the fast-moving streaks of light. Once you’ve found a dark spot to view the sky, try looking in the northeast direction. NASA recommends finding an area far away from light pollution. Your eyes need time to adjust to low light conditions, so hang out in your viewing area for hours before meteors appear at irregular intervals. If you find those ideal conditions, you can see up to 100 meteors per hour streaking across the sky. This shower is usually one of the biggest of the year, and a great excuse for stargazing. See more of California’s best stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

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The most active meteor shower of the year is expected to peak this weekend and northern California weather will try to catch a glimpse.

According to NASA, the Perseid meteor shower is visible between late July and mid-August each year. Given the right viewing conditions, 50 to 100 meteors can be seen streaking across the sky every hour.

When to See the Perseid Meteor Shower in California

Skies will be clear on Saturday and Sunday nights. The best time to view is between midnight and 5 a.m. That time window is after moonset and before sunrise, allowing for dark possibilities.

It is best to wait after 11pm as the constellation Perseus moves above the horizon and the crescent moon sets in the west.

The biggest challenge in Northern California is finding a place dark enough to allow our eyes to see the fast-moving streaks of light. Once you’ve found a dark spot to view the sky, try looking in the northeast direction.

NASA recommends finding an area far away from light pollution. Your eyes need time to adjust to low light conditions, so plan on hanging out for several hours at your viewing spot.

Once your eyes are adjusted, look directly up and be patient. Meteors appear at irregular intervals.

If you find those ideal conditions, it’s possible to see up to 100 meteors per hour streaking across the sky. This shower is usually one of the biggest of the year, and a great excuse to get outside to see the stars.
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