The Most Dazzling Meteor Shower Of The Year Has Arrived–Here’s How To See It In NYC
Not one but two meteor showers are heading to NYC this July to dazzle skywatchers, and as of July 14th the first one has arrived!
The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most dazzling showers of the year, and you won’t want to miss it. Here’s everything you need to know about the Perseid meteor shower:
What is the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseid meteor shower (also known as the Perseids) is one of the best shooting star displays of the year with “swift and bright meteors frequently leav[ing] long ‘wakes’ of light and color behind them as they streak through Earth’s atmosphere,” according to NASA.
Space writes, “The Perseids are caused by Earth passing through debris — bits of ice and rock — left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle which last passed close to Earth in 1992.”
Each year they’re active from mid-July to late August.
When does the Perseid meteor shower occur?
This year the Perseids meteor shower will occur July 14th through September 1st.
When does the Perseid meteor shower peak?
Though the moon will be 50% illuminated at the time of the Perseids meteor shower’s peak, it will set around midnight, making for dark skies that are perfect for meteor hunting!
According to EarthSky, the Perseids meteor shower is predicted to peak on August 12, 2024 at 10 am EST. So the mornings of August 11, 12, and 13 will be the best times to view it.
How many meteors will I be able to see?
Years without moonlight make for higher rates of meteors per hour, and in outburst years (such as in 2016) you can see as many as 150-200 meteors per hour!
This year, NASA writes that we can expect to see up to 100 meteors per hour, traveling at speeds of 37 miles (59 km) per second.
Where in the sky should I look to see the meteors?
The Farmer’s Almanac writes that the Perseid meteor shower can be viewed anywhere in the sky, but the meteors will appear to be traveling away from the constellation Perseus in the night sky.
So locating the constellation Perseus might help you to see as many meteors as possible.
When is the best time to see the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseids can be viewed any time after dark, with NASA writing that it is possible to view meteors as early as 10 pm, but there are times when the the meteor count is higher than others.
EarthSky suggests watching for the Perseids starting around midnight until dawn, with the best viewing time occurring just before dawn as that’s when the skies are at their darkest.
Where is the best place to see the Perseid meteor shower in NYC?
It’s imperative for anyone hoping to enjoy some stargazing to find a good viewing point with as little light pollution as possible–and yeah, we know that can be hard to do in NYC but it’s not impossible!
Find a comfortable, dark spot with an unobstructed view, like a park or beach, and lay down on your back for the best views. Be sure to give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness (which will make the meteors more visible) and avoid looking at your phone or any bright lights to speed up the process.
Can you see a meteor shower without a telescope?
The coolest part about the Perseid meteor shower is that there’s no need to use binoculars or a telescope! As long as you’re in a dark place meteors will be visible to the naked eye.
How rare is the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseid meteor shower isn’t rare as it occurs each year in the middle of the summer. It is, however, one of the most famous as it reliably has the brightest and most numerous meteors.
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