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California astronomer on best peak viewing time
sfchronicle.com • • general
Key Points:
- The Perseid meteor shower will peak on Wednesday night into early Thursday, offering potentially over 50 meteors per hour visible across North America, including Northern California, under ideal moonless conditions.
- Viewing conditions in the Bay Area may be hindered by marine layer fog and incoming monsoon moisture, which could cause cloud cover and rain showers, especially near coastal and mountainous regions.
- Astronomers recommend finding dark, clear locations away from city lights, such as Mount Diablo or Lassen Volcanic National Park, and allowing eyes 30 minutes to adjust for optimal meteor viewing.
- Several Bay Area organizations are hosting Perseid meteor shower events on Wednesday night, including the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, Robert Ferguson Observatory in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, and the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley, with some requiring tickets or registration.
- Observers are advised to look toward the northeast but remain aware that Perseid meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, and to monitor weather updates closely due to variable fog and cloud conditions.
