Perseid meteor shower viewing tips
Don Hladiuk on how to get the most out of this weekend's sky show
The Calgary Eyeopener's "Eye on the Night Sky" Don Hladiuk has some great tips for getting the most out of the Perseid meteor shower.
"The times between Aug. 11 to the 13 is the peak period. That's when you had seen perhaps 50, 60 meteors per hour under clear dark skies — if you can get away from the city lights," says Hladiuk.
You may have to stay up pretty late to catch the best of it, though, says Hladiuk.
"At about 10:30, 11 at night Perseus is just starting to clear the horizon," he says, so the best time is not until around 3 or 4 a.m. MT.
As for where to go, Hladiuk says it doesn't matter.
"Anywhere. Our family just usually grabs a sleeping bag, some lawn chairs and just drive out of the city in any direction," says Hladiuk.
"That's the beautiful thing about meteor showers. You don't need a telescope, you don't need binoculars."