If dreams come true when you wish upon a star, what happens when you wish upon 100 shooting stars?
The Perseid meteor shower — aka the Perseids — is taking place now through Sunday, Sept. 1. The shower happens when Earth passes through the trail of Comet Swift-Tuttle, offering spectators across the globe the opportunity to see roughly 100 meteors per hour when the shower is at its peak.
Ready to go meteor hunting? Check out our guide below.
When to view
The best time to watch the meteor shower is late at night or in the predawn hours during its peak from Sunday, Aug. 11 to Monday, Aug. 12. The moon will be 44% full.
Bonus: Even if you can’t watch the Perseid meteor shower during its peak, you can still catch views of the shower throughout the month.
Where to go
When choosing a spot to watch the Perseids, aim for a location away from man-made light. Here are some spots that we suggest:
- Mt. Tabor Park, Southeast 60th Avenue + Southeast Salmon Street
- Rooster Rock State Park, 24 miles east in Corbett
- Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint, 24 miles southwest in Hillsboro
- Vista House, 40700 Historic Columbia River Hwy., Corbett
- L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, 33 miles northwest in Buxton
- Larch Mountain, 38 miles east near Bridal Veil
Pro tip: You don’t need binoculars or a telescope to view the Perseids. If you have trouble finding the shower, make sure you are looking at the darkest part of the sky and allow your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
What to bring
- Blanket
- Light jacket (or even a sleeping bag)
- Chairs
- A red flashlight (learn how to make your own)
