2024’s Most Spectacular Meteor Shower Is Happening This Weekend, Here’s How to See It in the US

This weekend, the Perseid meteor shower, one of the most eagerly anticipated astronomical events of the year, will light up the night with colorful trails. From Sunday, August 11, through Monday, August 12, the shower will be at its peak and we could see as many as 50 to 100 meteors per hour.

Unlike some years when a bright moon can obscure the fainter meteors, this year’s moon will be under 50 percent full and set early. This means darker skies at prime viewing, which is likely to be late Sunday night (midnight) into dawn on Monday morning.

According to the Virtual Telescope Project, which is live streaming the event, “This year, the sky will offer perfect conditions (no moon interference), so don’t miss the show.”

For those in the US seeking optimal viewing locations, rural areas far removed from city lights offer the most promising prospects. National parks like Joshua Tree, remote stargazing camping grounds, and dark sky parks are excellent choices.

There are over 60 dark sky parks across the US, which have some of the best stargazing conditions in the world.

These mapped designated areas are characterized by exceptionally low levels of light pollution, offering optimal conditions for stargazing and astronomical observation. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is responsible for certifying these parks, ensuring they meet stringent light pollution control and public education criteria.

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Perseid meteor shower 2024 events in the US

Photo: kesterhu/Shutterstock

National parks and dark sky areas celebrate the pristine night sky with a robust calendar of year-round events. If you’re interested in joining others for the spectacle or learning more about the shower, here are some of the weekend’s best happenings.

An Evening with the Perseids Meteor Shower at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska

Location: Visitor CenterDate: August 11, 8:00-10:00 PM

Half the Park Happens After Dark at Glacier National Park, Montana

Location: Apgar Visitor Center parking lot, Lake McDonald ValleyDate: August 4-28, 10:00-11:30 PM

Perseid Meteor Shower Observing at Port Crescent State Park, Michigan

Location: Port Austin Rd, Port Austin, MichiganDate: August 11, 9:00-11:00 PM

Dark Sky Tour at Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah

Location: North View OverlookDate: August 11-October 12, 6:30-10:30 PM

Night Sky Program at Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Location: Cedar Pass Amphitheater, Cedar Pass CampgroundDate: August 11-31, 9:00-9:30 PM

Dark Skies over Bodie Island at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina

Location: Bodie Island Lighthouse parking lotDate: Every Sunday until September 2, 9:00 PM

Perseids Meteor Shower Viewing at Staunton River State Park, Virginia

Location: Observation FieldDate: Open until August 24

Paradise Night Skies Program at Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State

Location: Jackson Visitor Center at ParadiseDate: Friday, Saturday and Sunday until September 2, 9:45-11:45 PM

If you can’t watch the Perseid meteor shower in person, you can catch a free online livestream. Astrophysicist Gianluca Masi from the Virtual Telescope Project will be hosting two live broadcasts: the first on August 11 at 9:00 PM ET, and the second on August 12 at 9:00 PM ET.

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