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Posted in New Mexico Natural Wonders, Nature August 11, 2019 by

The New Mexico Sky Will Light Up With Shooting Stars And A Nearly Full Moon This Week

Every summer the Perseid Meteor Shower shoots across our sky, but this year is one for the books. The Land of Enchantment has a front-row seat to this amazing show in the night sky, and this year it’s supposed to be a special one, with over 100 meteors per hour shooting across the sky every minute. What’s extra rare is that the moon will also be nearly full, making for a bright and beautiful backdrop to this natural phenomenon, although it does decrease the visibility of the meteors. Nonetheless, get ready to be amazed, because the best night to see this annual shower of shooting stars is coming up early this week.

The Perseid Meteor shower started in our sky on July 17th and ends August 24th, but the best night for shooting stars is Monday, August 12th.
NASA/Wikimedia Commons
The annual meteor shower is an amazing show for the entire Northern Hemisphere, but here in New Mexico, we have some of the best views since our light pollution is so low.
Joshua Tree National Park/Wikimedia Commons
The best place to stargaze is at an International Dark-Sky Association designated Dark-Sky Park. Here in New Mexico, we have two.
This spectacular meteor shower is named after the constellation Perseus, as it often looks like the meteors are shooting out of the constellation.
NASA/Wikimedia Commons
While the peak night to see this shower is Monday, the moon might get in the way.
Brocken Inaglory/Wikimedia Commons
The moon will be nearly full on August 12th, so visibility of the meteors might be tough. For the best chances, head to a dark spot. Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Clayton Lake State Park will be two of the darkest places to see the sky illuminate, as they're free of most light pollution.
Even though the meteors can be viewed all night, the most are seen right at dawn.
Jeff Sullivan/Flickr
Even though the moonlight might dampen the show a bit, you'll still see hundreds of shooting stars across our sky.
mLu.fotos/Wikimedia Commons
You won't want to miss the annual event that is the Perseid Meteor Shower, ending on August 24th and peaking in New Mexico on August 12th.
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr
Get outside to somewhere with the least light to view this shower. In fact, you can view a light pollution map right here to find the best area.

Do you have any go-to spots in New Mexico to view the Perseids? Where are they? We’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments, and don’t forget to then go share photos from your dark night with us in our New Mexico Nature Lovers Facebook group, or tag us on Instagram by tagging #onlyinnewmexico for a chance to be featured.

For another incredible experience in New Mexico, check out this lightning field that lights up the sky all year.

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E Jamar
E Jamar is a published writer based in Milwaukee, WI. Despite being a Midwesterner at heart, you can often find them trekking throughout the states and discovering new hidden gems. When they're not traveling, you can find them discussing disability issues, cuddling their pug puppy, and checking out new local spots.