Get ready to look up. The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak today, from August 12 to 13, bringing one of the best chances of the summer to see shooting stars over Southern California.
This year’s conditions are especially promising. The peak will coincide with a new Moon, meaning there will be little to no moonlight to wash out the fainter meteors.
Under dark skies, you could see more than 100 meteors per hour. That’s more than one shooting star every minute.
🌠When to see the Perseids today
The Perseids will be at their most active overnight from August 12 into August 13.
For the best views, head outside between midnight and dawn. The later you stay up, the better your chances of catching more meteors.
You may spot a few shooting stars earlier in the evening, too. But the pre-dawn hours offer the best viewing.
🌠Why this year’s Perseids could be so spectacular
The new Moon is the big reason to get excited. A bright Moon can make it harder to see faint meteors. This year, there will be very little lunar light competing with the Perseids. That means darker skies and potentially more visible shooting stars.
The Perseids are also known for their fast, bright meteors. Some leave glowing trails behind them that can linger for several seconds.
🌠How to see the Perseids in L.A.
You won’t need a telescope or binoculars. Your eyes are enough. The biggest factor is finding a dark spot. Get away from L.A.’s bright city lights if you can.
Desert, mountain, and other dark-sky areas will offer better views. Even if you stay closer to the city, try to find somewhere with a wide, unobstructed view of the sky.
Once you’re outside, give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Then get comfortable and look up.
Be patient too. Meteors don’t appear on a schedule. Give yourself at least an hour to enjoy the show.
With a new Moon and the possibility of 100-plus meteors per hour, next week’s Perseid peak could be one of the best summer sky shows to catch from Southern California.
