Posted in South Carolina Natural Wonders, Summer July 16, 2018 by

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

If you’re like us, then your summer is already jam-packed with activities, but here’s one for the record books. No, really… the record books. Each summer the Perseid Meteor Shower is a spectacular star show featuring shooting stars (meteors zipping across the night sky; some leaving long, bright tails of light). But this year promises to be extraordinary with more than 100 meteors shooting across the sky per minute. And South Carolina has a front row seat on the lawn for all of the action.

The Perseid Meteor Shower begins on July 17 (tonight at midnight) and continues through August 24. Each night you can expect an incredible light show, so get ready for the action.
Flickr/David DeHetre
This annual meteor shower is the highlight of the summer night skies in the entire Northern Hemisphere.
Flickr/Trevor Bexon
And this year the peak of the show is anticipated for the nights of August 12-13 when there will only be a sliver of a crescent moon in the sky. (Too much moonlight makes it difficult to see the meteors.)
Flickr/Ryan Hallock
The meteors are expected in all parts of the sky, so you don't need an app to find them, but if you read up a bit beforehand, you may pick up some tips about how to capture those shooting stars right on your cell phone!
Flickr/Jason Larsson
All you really need is a spot as free as possible from light pollution. Look for someplace out of the city and where street lights and lights from buildings won't pollute your view.
Flickr/NASA'S Marshall Space Flight Center

When should you be outside waiting for all the action? You can certainly start your star gazing tonight – and every night through Aug 24th. But the peak of the show is expected to take place August 12-13 because on those nights the sky is expected to be totally free of any moonlight. And while you can see them beginning in the late night hours, the most activity usually takes place in the hours just before dawn. Are you ready to potentially see 100 shooting stars (meteors) every minute??

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