Space: the final frontier… As Captain Spock would say. Outside our beloved planet, everything is in constant motion and change. Every now and then, we mere mortals—who can’t just hop on a spaceship and visit the International Space Station—get to witness some of these phenomena from firm ground.
Whether you’re a space enthusiast or simply looking to plan a romantic date or an outdoor adventure, here’s the scoop on the upcoming meteor showers near Los Angeles this 2024.
Upcoming Meteor Showers Near Los Angeles
While the dates of significant meteor showers remain relatively consistent annually, their peak, or maximum activity, might vary by a day or two.
Draconid meteor shower
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through clouds of comet debris. The Draconid meteor shower originates from the debris of comet 21 P/Giacobini-Zinner. The number of meteors seen during its peak varies based on where Earth’s orbit intersects the comet’s trail each year. Recently, the Draconids have shown little significant activity.
📆 When: October 6–October 10
🌠 Peak: October 8-9
Orionids meteor shower
Named after the prominent constellation Orion, the Orionids showcase some of the swiftest and brightest shooting stars, gracing the sky in mid-October and peaking before dawn on October 22. However, viewing the Orionids might be challenging in 2024 as the 77% full Moon will obscure much of the spectacle.
📆 When: October 2-November 7
🌠 Peak: October 21-22
Leonids meteor shower
The Leonids usually present an ordinary display, offering around 10 to 15 shooting stars per hour. However, in rare instances, they have been known to trigger “meteor storms,” inundating the sky with thousands of meteors. There are no forecasts for meteor storms this year.
📆 When: November 6–November 30
🌠 Peak: November 17-18
Geminids
The Geminids stand out as the premier meteor shower annually, boasting an impressive peak of 75 meteors per hour streaking across the sky all night long. Additionally, the early onset of darkness means you don’t have to stay up late to witness this meteoric spectacle. However, in 2024, conditions are markedly different. The Geminids coincide with the Full Cold Moon, making them challenging to observe.
📆 When: December 7 – December 17
🌠 Peak: December 13-14
Ursids meteor shower
After the Geminids, the Ursids will give us about 5–10 meteors per hour, very close to the holidays making camping for shooting stars a great thing to do on Christmas. This year, while the moon won’t be as close to full as during the Geminids peak, the waning gibbous phase will still make it difficult to see some of the fainter stars.
📆 When: December 17 – December 25
🌠 Peak: December 21-22
What is the best place to see the meteor showers near Los Angeles?
Though you can “technically” see meteor showers everywhere, due to light pollution it’s impossible to have a clear view of it in major cities, like LA. For that reason, the best way to enjoy this phenomenon of shooting stars is to head to nearby places in SoCal, such as:
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree, renowned for its rock formations and Mojave Desert climate, offers optimal stargazing conditions. Its remote setting ensures minimal light pollution, providing some of the clearest night skies in Southern California. With campgrounds, picnic benches, and ample hiking trails like Quail Springs, Skull Rock, and Tanks Trailhead, it’s an ideal spot to witness meteor showers.
Rancho Palos Verdes Overlook
The Scenic Outlook – Vistapoint in Rancho Palos Verdes, offers a unique scenery. It boasts lower light pollution than coastal LA cities. Arrive just before dawn to witness the mesmerizing spectacle of meteor showers, capturing the sky’s changing scenery as the sun sets and enjoying a stunning meteor shower.
Red Rock Canyon State Park
Just two hours from downtown Los Angeles, Red Rock Canyon State Park in Southern California is the prime spot for meteor shower viewing, boasting a pollution-free sky ideal for stargazing. With 50 rustic campsites at Ricardo Campground, visitors can enjoy an unforgettable overnight experience under the stars.
Ojai Valley
Ojai is a picturesque small town with dark sky legislation, making it the closest to Los Angeles with such policies. This regulation aims to preserve breathtaking night vistas by reducing light pollution, making Ojai an ideal weekend retreat for those who cherish evenings under a sparkling sky.
Top Of The World, Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach isn’t just about stunning homes and surfer beaches—it’s also an ideal spot for meteor showers in SoCal. Situated at the north end of Alta Laguna Blvd, Top of the World provides some of the finest vistas in Orange County. This scenic viewpoint and hiking area offer elevated terrain with minimal light pollution, making it an excellent location to witness a meteor shower.
What is a meteor shower?
A meteor shower is a celestial event where numerous meteors are observed to radiate from a single point in the night sky. These meteors are caused by streams of cosmic debris called meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere at extremely high speeds. As they burn up upon entry, they create bright streaks of light known as shooting stars. Meteor showers occur at specific times of the year when Earth passes through the debris trails left by comets or, less frequently, asteroids.
Tips on how to view a meteor shower
One of the most common questions about meteor showers or shooting stars is what equipment do I need… And the truth is, although you can bring your telescope if you have one and know how to use it, under the right conditions, you can see a meteor shower using just your eyes (or glasses if you need them!), always considering:
- Go to an area that has little to know light pollution, away from major cities and urban centers.
- Check weather conditions and lunar phases. Cloudy skies won’t let you see much as it covers the sky, and bright moons (though lovely) may its light can wash out the fainter streaks in the sky, making them harder to see.
- Arrive at your chosen destination during sunset, that way you can have more hours of viewing.
- Search for a spot with an unobstructed and expansive view of the sky, without tall trees or buildings.
- Stay outside for around 20 minutes to let your eyes get used to the dark night sky.
- Bring a blanket, a pillow or anything you need to be comfortable. Stargazing usually takes a few hours and the night can get chilly, even during summer!