Stargazers across Southern California are in for a cosmic treat as the annual Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak Aug. 12-13. Under clear, dark skies, stargazers could see up to 100 shooting stars per hour, according to NASA.
The Perseids are famous for their vivid streaks of light, and even the occasional fireball, as meteors zip through the atmosphere at 37 miles per second.
“The Perseids result from Earth passing through debris — bits of ice and rock — left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, which last passed close to Earth in 1992,” according to Space.com.
Southern California residents who want front-row seats to the show should head to Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley, and Big Bear Lake. These areas are recognized by DarkSky.org for their exceptional stargazing and low light pollution.
A full list of places for optimal stargazing can be found here.
NASA recommends finding a dark, wide-open spot, lying flat on your back, and letting your eyes adjust to the darkness for about 30 minutes. No binoculars or telescopes are needed.