Summer stargazing goes out with a bang in August
August offers prime stargazing opportunities, including the peak of the Perseid meteor shower and a partial solar eclipse. Experts recommend finding dark locations to maximize visibility of these celestial events.
Why it matters
Public interest in astronomy events often drives tourism and educational engagement with science.
Summer stargazing goes out with a bang in August with the best meteor shower of the year.
The Perseid meteor shower peaks on Aug. 12 and 13 with up to 100 shooting stars per hour in ideal viewing locations far from city lights, like the Catskills and Adirondacks. City dwellers can expect about half that rate in areas like Floyd Bennett Field and city beaches. The peak coincides with a new moon, when skies are the darkest and best for stargazing.
“The Perseids never fail to please,” said Bart Fried, a member of the American Astronomical Society. “You're pretty much guaranteed to see some bright meteors and a good deal of them this year.”
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