Given the lack of moonlight, this year’s Perseid meteor shower, which peaks tonight, is expected to be sensational. As many as 90-100 meteors per hour may dart through the sky at the expected peak, between about midnight and 6 a.m. Thursday. But meteors will be visible beginning at dark.
The clearer and darker the skies above you, the more meteors you’ll be able to see.
For Washingtonians, the good news is that we’re forecasting mostly cloud-free skies. But, for some, the region’s rampant light pollution will reduce both the number of visible “shooting stars” as well as their brilliance.
To get the most out of the Perseids, get away from city lights. Beach and rural settings are ideal.
Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory said the best viewing locations close to the District tend to be within parks – many of which close at dusk unless you’re a member of one of the local astronomy clubs. But Chester offered some alternatives.
“There are some areas that you could drive to and view from your car at the side of the road,” Chester said. “Surprisingly, the sky can be pretty decent along the George Washington parkway south of Alexandria…there are some parking areas that let you access the river bank, and Riverside Park has a nice open grassy area. The area around Great Meadow near The Plains is another good spot, and the road leading to Sky Meadows State Park would be another.”
We asked our readers on social media for suggestions, and here’s a sampling of responses:
@capitalweather An hour's drive from downtown DC: Sky Meadows State Park. CM Crockett Park. Harpers Ferry. Or any of the State Parks.
— Curatorous (@Curatorous) August 12, 2015
@capitalweather skyline drive
— James Spooner (@thewraith21) August 12, 2015
@capitalweather Assateague & Chincoteague. And I probably misspelled them both.
— Laudato Si: 100% Correct 🇻🇦♻️🔰✊💉📎🧢 ↙️↙️↙️ (@EricPavlat) August 12, 2015
@capitalweather George Washington National Forest near/in Woodstock.
— daniellewilson (@xdaniellechinx) August 12, 2015
You may also wish to consult the Dark Sky Finder, an interactive map which shows where the concentration of light pollution is greatest and least.
If you’re not motivated to drive some distance into the darkness, don’t despair. As long as you’re somewhere where you can normally see some stars on clear nights, you should be able to see some meteors streak through the skies with your bare eyes, no binoculars or telescopes required. Yes, this includes areas inside the Beltway and the District.
Lie on your back, look up and give your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness. It should be a great show.
The spectacular Perseid shooting star show lights up the night sky
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The Perseid meteor shower was particularly dazzling this year as extra-dark skies created an optimal backdrop for stargazing.
