7-14-2024 7:05pm

Perseids Meteor Shower Could Fill the Night Sky with More than a Hundred Meteors an Hour

Nate Weeks Editor

The night sky can leave viewers in awe of the majesty of celestial events (Photograph courtesy of Henrik Pfitzenmaier on Pexels.com)

The beginning of the Perseids meteor shower have begun as of July 14th, but it will peak a few weeks from now. The best place to watch meteor showers is somewhere designated as a "dark skies" area.

Dark sky locations are areas where low light pollution means skywatchers can better view celestial events like meteor showers.

Artificial light can disturb the natural body rhythms of both humans and animals by confusing the circadian rhythm, interupting the production of the hormone melatonin, which leads to sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, and other health problems, potentially even cancer, according to National Geographic.

This is one reason that dark sky locations are so important, both for animals and humans. Astronomers in particular have raised the many unintended consequences of light pollution.

Dark sky locations in Georgia include Brasstown Bald, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, the Cohutta Wilderness, Cooper's Creek, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Fort Mountain State Park, Hamburg State Park, Heartland, Kolomoki Mound State Park, Moccasin Creek State Park, Okefenokee Wildlife Reserve, Popcorn Overlook, Providence Canyon State Park, Seminole State Park, and Stephen C. Foster State Park.

The Perseid meteor shower will peak on Monday, August 11th through Tuesday, August 12th but you will have a chance to see some meteors on any clear night from now through September, according to the American Meteor Society.

One great way to experience meteor showers is by camping and, if you are going to plan a trip, skywatchers recommend scheduling one on either August 11th or 12th. The best Perseids meteor shower and celestial viewing would be between 11:00 p.m. and dawn on either of those days.