How to Watch This Week’s Spectacular Meteor Shower [Field Guide]

The peak of the famously visible Perseid meteor shower starts Tuesday! This year\’s show, which coincides with a new moon and perfect viewing conditions, must be especially spectacular-especially when you follow the following pointers for a brilliant viewing experience:

Find a wide-open space to monitor. You\’ll need a good view of the total sky, even the bits near the brink. Try calling up that one guy you attached with who had roof access. If he doesn\’t pick up, leave a threatening voice message, because why not.

Watch the Perseus constellation. The meteors don\’t actually come out of Perseus, but are named after the constellation because they give the impression of being to. This NASA illustration of my Brooklyn neighborhood will show you where to appear in terms of the constellations:

Avoid places with numerous light pollution. The further faraway from bright lights you’re, the more meteors you\’ll have the ability to see. In case you live in a rural area, try driving out to a field, or something. You\’ve got to have a field somewhere near you, right? Once you live in a city, consider moving. It\’s a buyer\’s market!

Be early-the prettiest meteors come early inside the evening. Right after the sun sets, when the meteor shower is low within the sky, the meteors will streak beautifully across long portions of the sky.

Be patient-the peak won\’t come till late. The height of the shower, when meteors can be most frequent, usually occurs between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. (reckoning on latitude), as the Earth moves directly into the path of the debris. So be prepared to wait! Maybe bring a book, to take advantage of as kindling for a pleasant fire.

Invite friends. But only the nice-looking ones! No, just kidding; you are able to invite whichever friends you’d like. Just understand that this can be a good chance to hook up.

Bring blankets. The suitable position to observe the shower is lying down, so you’ve the fullest view possible of the sky. That is also the simplest position to make out. Just saying.

Put on bug repellent. We always forget to do that.

Do a little analysis. Were you aware that the Perseids are actually debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle comet that the Earth passes through on its orbit annually? No? You then\’ll look pretty dumb when someone asks you what the lights inside the sky are, won\’t you?

Bring some beers. And obviously, we\’d never suggest illegal drug use, ever, but wouldn\’t it’s so weird in the event you developed glaucoma, just for this week, and your symptoms were only alleviated by marijuana? And in addition to procure a vaporizer?

Write it down so you remember. Seriously, how often have you totally meant to stay out and watch these and then just let it completely slip your mind?

[Pics via AP, NASA]

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This post is tagged: field, meteor, Shower, Spectacular, watch, Weeks