How to Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower
Set your alarm clock., Pack a blanket, compass, bug spray, and snacks., Find a spot away from city lights., Look towards the northeastern sky., View the sky with your unaided vision., Look for the constellation Perseus., Bring along a tripod if you...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Set your alarm clock.
Go out to watch at midnight or later.
The pre-dawn hours are usually the best for viewing because the side of the Earth facing the sun allows more meteors to be visible., Mittens or gloves and a warm hat are also a good idea for those who feel the cold at night.
Bring a reclining chair if you don't fancy lying on the ground or holding your head tilted back all night. , Planning a camping trip at this time is a great option. , If you are unsure of your orientation, use your compass or an app to get your bearings and determine which direction is northeast. , The meteors can be seen using the naked eye.
For closer views, use binoculars or a camera with a telescopic lens.
You don't have to use these to appreciate the meteors, however, and these can limit your field of vision, causing you to miss the ongoing show if you don't know where to look. , The stars of Perseus form somewhat of a "Y" or "V" shape and the meteors will seem to shoot outwards from a central point in this constellation.
They will be visible, however, all over the sky.
Perseus can be found by following the bottom left star in Cassiopeia (the W constellation) down and to the left.
There is a double cluster that appears the meteor shower is coming from. , The tripod is important to provide stability during long exposures and limit the camera movement when you take the photos.
Put the camera focus on "infinity" and use an open shutter over a period of minutes if your camera has this capability.
Read LifeGuide Hub's article on photographing the night sky for more information. -
Step 2: Pack a blanket
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Step 3: compass
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Step 4: bug spray
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Step 5: and snacks.
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Step 6: Find a spot away from city lights.
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Step 7: Look towards the northeastern sky.
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Step 8: View the sky with your unaided vision.
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Step 9: Look for the constellation Perseus.
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Step 10: Bring along a tripod if you want to take photographs.
Detailed Guide
Go out to watch at midnight or later.
The pre-dawn hours are usually the best for viewing because the side of the Earth facing the sun allows more meteors to be visible., Mittens or gloves and a warm hat are also a good idea for those who feel the cold at night.
Bring a reclining chair if you don't fancy lying on the ground or holding your head tilted back all night. , Planning a camping trip at this time is a great option. , If you are unsure of your orientation, use your compass or an app to get your bearings and determine which direction is northeast. , The meteors can be seen using the naked eye.
For closer views, use binoculars or a camera with a telescopic lens.
You don't have to use these to appreciate the meteors, however, and these can limit your field of vision, causing you to miss the ongoing show if you don't know where to look. , The stars of Perseus form somewhat of a "Y" or "V" shape and the meteors will seem to shoot outwards from a central point in this constellation.
They will be visible, however, all over the sky.
Perseus can be found by following the bottom left star in Cassiopeia (the W constellation) down and to the left.
There is a double cluster that appears the meteor shower is coming from. , The tripod is important to provide stability during long exposures and limit the camera movement when you take the photos.
Put the camera focus on "infinity" and use an open shutter over a period of minutes if your camera has this capability.
Read LifeGuide Hub's article on photographing the night sky for more information.
About the Author
Jacob Barnes
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in crafts and beyond.
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