Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Over Oregon Under Dark, Moonless Sky This Week
One of the year’s strongest meteor showers- the Perseids- will peak over Oregon under an unusually dark, moonless sky this year overnight between August 12 and 13. Here’s where to watch this celestial event in Oregon.
Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower in Oregon
According to NASA, the Perseids will peak overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, and the gods couldn’t have chosen a better night- Wednesday night is new moon, so there will be almost no moonlight interfering with visibility. And the Perseids usually generate unusually bright meteors that look like fireballs leaving glowing trails.
The shower has been active since early July and will continue through the end of August. Under ideal conditions, viewers could see 50 to 100 meteors per hour and, according to NASA, no telescope or other equipment is required.
The meteors appear to originate near the constellation Perseus but could actually be seen across any part of the sky.
Source: NASA Science
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The best viewing is from a dark location, but it’s best to allow 20 to 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust. Visibility will depend mainly on clouds, wildfire smoke, and distance from city lights.
Oregonians can watch from a good vantage point or enjoy an event at an Oregon State Park– a Perseid meteor shower viewing party organized by OMSI and Rose City Astronomers at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The park is west of Portland near Banks and Vernonia- away from the light pollution of the Portland metro area. A day-use parking permit is required. This can be purchased at the park.