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When and where to see the 2024 Perseid shower in the U.S.?
Earth is about to experience the superb Perseid meteor shower: here’s the best locations to see the natural phenomenon.
The Earth, on its orbit path around the Sun, is about to meet a huge cloud of dust and debris, left behind by the Swift-Tuttle comet which is currently hurtling its way past Pluto on the outer edge of the Solar System.
While we wont be seeing that until 2125, the mess it left behind is something that has fascinated humans, young and old, for years. Our planet crosses paths with this cloud once a year, creating a flashy light show in our skies.
The Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the most spectacular natural phenomenons in our local corner of the universe (black holes and neutron stars are for another day), and many people enjoy it by looking up into the sky from various locations across the world.
Meteor watching tips according to NASA:
- Get as far away from urban light pollution as possible.
- Find a location with a clear, unobstructed view of the night sky.
- Dress warmly as it may get very cold.
- Bring something comfortable on which to sit or lie down.
- Be patient!
- Don’t use a telescope or binoculars.
- Avoid looking at your cellphone or any other white light - use red lights only.
When is the Perseid Meteor Shower?
The Perseid meteor shower is set to begin on July 14 and run through until September 1, 2024. Scientists say that its peak will take place on the night of Sunday, August 11 through Monday, August 12.
In terms of timings, the peak is around 04:00 UTC on August 12, which is 12:00 a.m. (midnight) EDT on August 12. However, if you’re 8 hours either side of that time, you should be in luck.
NASA's Perseids stat pack:
- Comet of Origin: 109P/Swift-Tuttle
- Radiant: constellation Perseus
- Active: July 14-Sept. 1, 2024
- Peak Activity: Aug. 12, 2024
- Peak Activity Meteor Count: Approximately 100 meteors per hour
- Meteor Velocity: 59 kilometers (37 miles) per second
Where is the best place in the US to see the Perseid shower?
Any Dark Sky Park in the US is a great location to watch any stellar action, with a full list here that you can check out, with an interactive map in this link.
However, anywhere with little light pollution should be a great place to see the action unfold, and following the tips and tricks above will undoubtedly make your experience a more pleasant one.
The meteors will be visible in a northeastern direction in the sky and can be seen pretty much anywhere in the northern hemisphere.