This summer has been an exciting time for night sky observers. Just last month we observed the recently-discovered Comet NEOWISE grace our night skies, and this month also has something exciting in store—the Perseid meteor shower! One of the most beloved meteor showers, seeing this epic display of soaring meteors should definitely be on your to-do list. Here’s all you need to know about catching one of the brightest meteor showers of the year.
The annual Perseid meteor shower is always a highly-anticipated event among night sky observers. Considered one of the year’s best and brightest showers, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye out for!
Alan Newman - An1 Photography/Flickr
The Perseid meteor shower comes around every year between July 17 and August 24. This year, the shower’s peak is expected to take place on the night between August 11 and 12, so mark your calendars.
sagesolar/Flickr
The Nevada night sky is notably dark, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble spotting the Perseids as they blaze across the sky. There’s a chance that the moon’s brightness may impede viewing conditions, but many Perseids tend to be super bright and can easily overcome the moonlight.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center/Flickr
Catching a meteor shower at just the right time can be tricky. For this year’s shower, experts suggest watching before moonrise for peak viewing conditions. Here in the northerly latitudes, meteors can be spotted even before midnight and usually around mid-to-late evening.
Alan Newman - An1 Photography/Flickr
The shower’s peak may be considered the best time to watch, but it’s definitely not the only time. The Perseids are expected to stick around for about ten days after their mid-August peak, although they’ll be spotted in fewer numbers as time goes by.
Fieldmedic/Flickr
As always, you don’t need anything but your own two eyes for viewing meteors. For the best viewing experience, seek out an especially dark area where you can have an unobstructed, wide-open view of the night sky.
Beau Rogers/Flickr
The year’s brightest meteor shower won’t be here for long, so make it your mission to see the Perseids before they leave our night sky once again. Trust us, they are worth the wait!
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center/Flickr
Are you excited for this month’s Perseid meteor shower? There are tons of great spots in Nevada where you should be able to view the meteor shower, like the Tonopah stargazing park!
Alan Newman - An1 Photography/Flickr
sagesolar/Flickr
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center/Flickr
Fieldmedic/Flickr
Beau Rogers/Flickr
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