The Perseid meteor shower ‒ one of the best of the year, according to NASA ‒ treats stargazers to plentiful bright meteors streaking swiftly through the atmosphere and colorful exploding fireballs. But the celestial event will be competing with the moon this year.
A waning gibbous moon will compromise this shower in the period of maximum activity, according to the American Meteor Shower Society. These conditions will reduce visible activity by at least 75% and only the brightest meteors will be visible. People counting these "shooting stars" might see about 10 to 20 per hour instead of the typical 50 to 100.
But don't lose hope, California stargazers! You can follow these tips to increase your chances of a spectacular show:
Where to get the best view of the Perseid meteor shower
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The Perseid meteor shower, among the most beautiful in the Northern Hemisphere, is expected to peak on the evenings of Aug. 12 and 13, and will be visible through Aug. 23.
The best viewing times may be after midnight and just before dawn, although experts suggest going outside as early as 10 p.m. to get the most out of the experience, according to the Weather Channel.
Rural areas often see between 50 and 75 meteors per hour, according to the American Meteor Society. To get a view of it, look toward the northeast, toward the constellation Perseus.
Profile of Perseids bright fireball activity
This chart uses data from 2014-2020 to show expected levels of Perseid meteor shower activity -- it does not take into account the effects of the sun, moon and clouds, according to NASA.
See how you can check for clear skies in California
You can check for clear skies across California by using the National Weather Service's graphical forecast for Northern and Southern California by selecting which region you want. One option is sky cover, which tells you the percentage of opaque clouds covering the skies forecasted at select times, giving you insight into where it'll be cloudy, and where clearer skies are forecasted. You can also choose to see where fog, smoke and haze are forecasted across the state for hourly intervals.
Where did the Perseids originate from?
The Perseid meteor shower comes from the Comet Swift-Tuttle. In 1862, American astronomers Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle discovered the comet, according to NASA. The well-known Perseid meteor shower is formed when space debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet interacts with our atmosphere.
Which meteor shower has the brightest meteors?
The Perseid and Geminid meteor showers are typically regarded as the most active and most beautiful. It is easier to watch the Perseids on warm August nights, compared to the Geminids, which are active on cold December days.
Tips to get the best views of the meteor shower
Tips on how to catch the best views of a meteor shower, according to EarthSky.
◾Location, location, location: Find a spot away from city lights, locate the radiant in the sky and get comfortable.
◾No lights: Your eyes will need to adjust to the darkness, which could take 15 to 20 minutes.
◾Dress for the weather: Bring blankets or a camping chair to make the viewing comfortable.
◾Relax: Chill and take in the evening's sky. Not all meteor showers are spectacular.
How to see Venus, Jupiter conjunction in California
"[Jupiter and Venus] shine brightly in the east before sunrise throughout the month," according to NASA. "The pair begin the month farther but quickly approach each other in the sky."
Jupiter and Venus will appear closest over Aug. 11-12, according to NASA, appearing as if they're "grazing" each other despite still being millions of miles apart. It comes as a popular meteor shower, which will be active through Aug. 23, peaks right around the same time.
While telescopes certainly will enhance the view, spectators don't necessarily need any equipment to spot Venus and Jupiter in the pre-dawn sky from the Northern Hemisphere. Why? After the sun and moon, they're the two brightest objects in our solar system.
Seek out locations with unobstructed views of the horizons and check the weather forecast to ensure skies will be clear. Then, simply look to the east to find what will appear as two uncommonly bright stars, and you're likely looking at the two planets.