Posted in New Jersey Natural Wonders, Summer August 06, 2020 by

There’s An Incredible Meteor Shower Happening This Summer And New Jersey Has A Front Row Seat

If you’re looking for some good old-fashioned summer fun in New Jersey, just look toward the sky. Catching a meteor shower is always a treat and we’re in the middle of a big, beautiful one right now. Will you be making wishing on shooting stars this week? Read on for more info on the plentiful Perseids.

The Perseid meteors are both abundant and bright, making them one of the most popular meteor showers of the year.
Nacho Rascon/Flickr
The shower is going on RIGHT NOW and it peaks during the morning on August 12th.
Tom Lee/Flickr
The best time to look for meteors is between midnight and dawn from August 11 - August 13.
L1mey/Flickr
You can expect 50-100 meteors per hour but may see 150-200 per hour during a surge. The last surge was in 2016.
Ron Lute/Flickr
Last year's full moon made the show more difficult to see but this year, the moon will be a last quarter.
Sean MacEntee/Flickr
Look to the northern sky to spot the Perseids. You might also catch a glimpse of the tail end of the Delta Aquariid meteor shower.
GollyGForce/Flickr

The Perseid meteor shower will be visible until August 24th, as the earth passes through the path of Comet Swift-Tuttle. The meteor shower is caused by comet debris entering our earth’s atmosphere. Swift-Tuttle is the largest object known to repeatedly pass by Earth. Who remembers when it was visible in 1992? If you can’t catch the meteor shower or are looking for other fun summer activities to enjoy from home, take virtual tours of New Jersey’s state parks. We love the beautiful aerial footage!

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