Illinois Skies Will Feature A Meteor Shower This Weekend

If you're interested in catching what might be 2024's best meteor shower, this weekend's peak of the Perseid meteor shower should be the one that you're looking for.

The Perseids seem to realize that there's a fan base here on Earth, so they hang around the early morning skies for pretty decent amount of time, starting in mid-July and wrapping up in early September. Shooting stars from the Perseid meteor shower can be seen the entire time, but the peak, or best viewing times, are coming up this weekend.

They just got started on July 14th (people have already been reporting on their activities), and they'll do their thing in the heavens until around the first week of September, with the absolute best viewing being on Sunday, August 11th and Monday, August 12th.

Hope you don't mind getting up a bit early for the best show.

The People Who Know About These Things Are Really, Really Into The Perseid Meteor Shower, Calling It The "Gold Standard" Of Meteor Showers

Many experts are saying that more than 70 shooting stars is a genuine possibility, but Space.com is of the opinion that the show could be even better than that:

The shower peaks around August 11th and 12th, when Earth travels through the densest and dustiest part of this debris. In years without moonlight, the meteor rate appears higher, and during outburst years (such as 2016), the rate can reach 150-200 meteors per hour.

Obviously, having a clear, dark, moonlight-free atmosphere makes for the best viewing, and it looks like Illinois' skies are planning on being somewhat cooperative during this year's peak of the Perseids.

Let's Get To What You Need To Know If Catching The Perseid Meteor Shower Is Something You'd Be Interested In Doing This Coming Weekend

Unless you're someone with lots of stargazing equipment at your fingertips, you should be happy to know that catching the Perseid meteor shower does not require a telescope or binoculars at all. And, because the half-lit moon will set around midnight, you won't get lunar interference with your viewing, either.

Read More: Check Out Illinois' Dark-Sky Park For Stargazing

The best time to head out for a look is anytime after 1am on Sunday and/or Monday, all the way up to around 5am, or just before dawn both days.

Find the darkest spot (away from lights) that you can find and let your eyes adjust to the darkness for about 30 minutes. Then, scan the sky and wait for the magic to begin.