If you didn't catch the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, there are still a view days left to catch some night sky magic this month.
The Perseid shower is of the brightest and most popular meteor showers of the year and offers several ideal viewing opportunities during clear summer nights, which makes it a favourite of sky-watchers.
Many sources say the popular sky-watching event winds down around Aug, 24, meaning there wouldn't be much time to spot shooting stars during this shower. But Marley Leacock, an astronomer at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, tells Vancouver Is Awesome that there are some stragglers that keep on lighting up the sky until Sept. 1.
How can you make the most of the limited Perseid meteor shower viewing opportunities?
"Since we are nearing the end, I would suggest definitely getting away from the city lights," the astronomer explains. "There may only be a few meteors over a period of a few hours."
Leacock also recommends going out on multiple nights to maximize your chances and observing for a "decent amount of time each night."
"The radiant, where the meteors appear to be coming from, is highest in the sky just before dawn, so observing from a few hours before dawn until the sun rises would be my recommendation," she adds.
The Perseid meteors "appear to fall" from the constellation Perseus, notes the Canadian Space Agency. Additionally, the constellation is at its highest point in the sky right before dawn when the most shooting stars are visible.
Greek mythological hero Perseus defeated Medusa by using a reflective shield to "turn her powers against her."
What other astral event can you look forward to in the coming weeks?
As for upcoming events, Leacock says Jupiter will be in opposition to the sun on Sept 26.
"This is when it is opposite to the Sun in our sky. Around this time, it also approaches perigee - its closest approach to Earth," she explains.
"This makes it appear its brightest and largest in the sky."
While the actual opposition event takes place at 1:00 p.m. in Vancouver, Jupiter will still be great to observe in the days leading to and following the event.
More Perseid Meteor Shower hunting tips in Metro Vancouver for 2022
To fully enjoy the spectacle, here are a few tips for meteor hunting:
- If possible, head away from city lights, which make it hard to see fainter meteors. To increase your chances of seeing shooting stars, set out in search of dark skies in the countryside.
- If you need to use a flashlight, place a red filter over the bulb (a red balloon will do in a bind). White light is very blinding and may affect your night vision.
- Dress warmly. Even though the Perseids occur in the summertime, it is still a good idea to bring warm (even winter) clothes. August nights can be very chilly.
- Sit back and relax on a reclining chair or lie down on a blanket. Not only is it much more comfortable to observe the stars lying down, but you'll also see more that way.
- Pack a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee—it will come in handy if you start to drift off or get a little chilly!
- Be patient. It might take a while before you see your first shooting star. Don't be quick to give up... It's worth the wait!
