Meteor showers are a sight to behold whenever they occur. Take a night stroll in a darkly lit area for a brief view.
Alternatively, travel and take in the wonder of this celestial event in a clear magnificent night sky.
Below are the top nine locations to watch a meteor shower.
What Is A Meteor Shower?
Commonly known as shooting stars, meteor showers result from millions of rock fragments entering the Earth’s atmosphere.
The extremely high speeds at which they travel, combined with severe heat from atmosphere friction, causes them to disintegrate into vapor.
During orbit around the sun, comets leave behind debris that the Earth comes across as meteor showers.
These rock particles are usually in different shapes and densities over the years, meaning the number of meteor showers varies annually.
The naming of the meteor showers also depends on the constellation’s path they follow. For instance, the Quadrantid meteor shower radiates from the constellation Bootes.
Although it is the most frequent and strongest, viewing it in 2023 may be challenging as the moon will illuminate it.
However, there are plenty more meteor showers to view throughout the year.
If you plan to travel, the northern hemisphere is your best bet for an exciting display.
The orbit of Asteroids and comets is nearer in this region, making meteor showers more visible.
Top 9 Locations To Watch A Meteor Shower
Below are nine of the most popular spots to watch a meteor shower in the northern hemisphere.
1. Kielder Forest in England
Although the Kielder forest is in England, it also straddles the Scottish border.
If you are in England, visit the forest for a few hours of nighttime meteor shower viewing.
The forest has lots of open space and low light pollution, making it a favorable spot in Europe.
Some of the best meteor showers are the Draconids in August and Perseids from late July to mid-August.
The waning gibbous moon does not reflect during this time, and the starry night allows a breathtaking forest view.
2. Joshua Tree Park in California
California is one of the most highly populated states in the US. For someone looking to watch a meteor shower here, one may wonder how possible it is to get an isolated spot.
However, the Joshua Tree National Park is a famous location.
Residents and tourists visit the park in winter to glimpse these astronomical phenomena.
The Leonids and Geminids meteors in late November and mid-December provide the perfect light show.
3. Mercantour Park in France
If you are touring the French Alps, visit the Mercantour National Park for a fantastic evening of display of meteor showers.
The park offers a vast dark sky and is ideal for watching Orionids, Perseids, and Draconids meteor showers.
4. Yellowstone Park in Wyoming
Besides being famous for its numerous hot springs and geysers, Yellowstone National Park is perfect for meteors and stars watching.
Although the days are sweltering hot, the nights are cool, making your nighttime meteor shower viewing epic.
5. Denali Park in Alaska
Alaska is famous for its night sky, wide open spaces, and unique outdoor experiences.
Viewing meteor showers in the isolated Denali National Park is possible through the mountains or forest area.
However, remember to wear warm winter clothing as the night temperatures are below freezing most of the year.
6. Great Sand Dunes Park in Colorado
The Great Sand Dunes National Park is renowned for its thousands of miles of mountain-free land and open sky views.
Although Colorado can get cloudy, the vast park allows visitors to view shooting stars unobstructed.
7. Big Bend Park in Texas
Astronomy lovers and stargazers will enjoy watching meteors showers at the Big Bend National Park.
The Perseids shooting stars in mid-August especially make for a wonderful time.
One will stare in awe as the bright lights flash past in the dark sky, making it a worthwhile experience.
8. Canyonlands Park in Utah
The Canyonlands National Park offers panoramic sky views with the Colorado River snaking through the borders.
Hikers and rock climbers will enjoy amazing nights of stars and meteor shower displays at different times of the year.
The Ursids are popular in December, especially during Christmas week, for those who wish to travel for the holidays.
9. Tucson in Arizona
The mountainous Tucson horizon prevents the city lights from reaching the horizon, making it a good meteor shower and stargazing location.
Read next – 7 Best Stargazing Spots Around The World
Besides, the dark sky view is particularly open for vast views of the Orionids shower in October. These shooting stars create a beautiful pattern in the sky for all to see in awe.
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The Best Time To Watch A Meteor Shower
The best time to watch a meteor shower is when the sky is dark and clear, away from bright city lights and obstructions.
Usually, it’s a new moon night, meaning it’s dark outside. A few minutes to dusk or dawn offer the clearest view, so make time before bed for this magnificent display.
Additionally, meteor showers occur at different times of the year. Some become invisible when the moon is full, as the brightness washes them away.
However, there are a few that occur in perfect conditions for an exciting viewing experience, and they include:
- Lyrids in late April
- Perseids in mid-August
- Orionids towards the end of October
- Northern Taurids in mid-November
- Leonids after mid-November
- Geminids in mid-December
If you intend to travel for a meteor shower display, here are a few tips to make the trip memorable.
- Check the weather forecast of the place you intend to visit to avoid extreme weather, such as potential hurricanes. Any cloud cover will obstruct the view.
- Comfort is vital, so have a lounge chair or picnic blanket ready to lie down and rest your head.
- Once you settle in to watch, be patient as the showers move slowly, and may not be many at first.
- Please bring your favorite nighttime snack. It may take an hour or two before the show ends.
- If you want to take photographs, invest in an excellent nighttime camera that can zoom in and capture this incredible event.
Conclusion
Although watching a meteor shower is a simple process, it takes time and requires adequate preparation.
It is also affordable as you do not need special equipment for a clear view. If the sky and surroundings are dark, your eyes will adjust quickly.
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