It's the night many sky-watchers wait for all year — the peak of the stunning Perseid meteor shower.
The Perseid meteor shower produces numerous shooting stars nightly from its onset, gearing up to dozens hourly leading up to its awe-inspiring climax.
While the shower kicked off on July 17 and runs until Aug. 23, the peak on Aug. 12 offers up to 50 to 75 shooting stars per hour, according to the American Meteorological Society.
The shower is also famous for its "fireballs," which are "larger explosions of light and colour that can persist longer than an average meteor streak," according to NASA. They are also significantly brighter than other meteors.
The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes bright skies, offering optimal sky-watching conditions for locals.
A nearly full moon may hamper some meteor shower viewing
Sadly, the shower's peak will be hampered somewhat by the moon this year, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre astronomer Rosanna Tilbrook tells V.I.A.
"Moonlight will make it difficult to see fainter meteors. However, Vancouverites can still expect to see around 20 to 40 meteors an hour," she notes.
Tilbrook says the moon will rise around 10 p.m. in Metro Vancouver so the shower's view will be better if you face away from this direction.
"The Perseids are so named because they appear to originate from the region around the constellation of Perseus in the night sky, which will be visible in the northeast," she explains.
"However, you don't necessarily need to look in this direction to spot shooting stars, as they'll streak across much of the sky."
Where are the best places to view the Perseid meteor shower?
To get the best view of the Perseid meteor shower, stargazers should travel to places far from bright lights with "a wide view of the sky," Tilbrook says.
"Beaches like Spanish Banks or Wreck Beach are good spots, and city parks can be good options too, as long as there aren't any streetlights around," she notes.
"Although the ambient light pollution in Vancouver will generally limit your ability to see faint meteors, the direct glare from streetlights is the biggest problem when stargazing."
Outside of the city, the astronomer recommends places like the popular Porteau Cove, on the Sea to Sky Highway.
Sky-watchers should also be patient. It might take a while before you see your first shooting star. It also helps to lie on your back so you can get a better view of the full sky.
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.
