Perseid Meteor Shower 2022: How to view the end in Vancouver

If you didn’t catch the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, you still have a few days left this month to experience the magic of the night sky.

One of the brightest and most popular meteor showers of the year, the Perseid Shower offers several ideal viewing opportunities on clear summer nights, making it a favorite of skywatchers.

Many sources say the popular sky-watching event will end around August 24, meaning there wouldn’t be much time to see shooting stars during this shower. But Marley Leacock, an astronomer at HR MacMillan Space Center, tells it Vancouver is great that there are some laggards that will light up the skies until September 1st.

How can you best take advantage of the limited observation opportunities for Perseid meteor showers?

“As we’re nearing the end, I would suggest definitely getting away from the city lights,” explains the astronomer. “There may be few meteors over a period of a few hours.”

Leacock also recommends going out on multiple nights to maximize your chances and “observing an appropriate time each night.”

“The radiant that the meteors appear to be coming from is highest in the sky just before sunrise, so my recommendation would be to observe until sunrise a few hours before sunrise,” she adds.

The Perseid meteors “appear to be falling out of the constellation Perseus,” notes the Canadian Space Agency. Also, the constellation is at its highest point in the sky just before sunrise, when most of the shooting stars are visible.

Greek mythological hero Perseus defeated Medusa by using a reflective shield to “turn her powers against her”.

What other astral event can you look forward to in the coming weeks?

As for upcoming events, Leacock says Jupiter will be in opposition to the Sun on September 26th.

“That’s when it faces the sun in our sky. It’s also around this time that it’s approaching perigee — its closest approach to Earth,” she explains.

“This makes it appear the brightest and largest in the sky.”

While the actual opposition event takes place in Vancouver at 1:00 p.m., Jupiter will still be great to watch in the days leading up to and following the event.

More Hunting Tips for Perseid Meteor Showers in Metro Vancouver for 2022

In order to be able to enjoy the spectacle to the fullest, here are a few tips for meteorite hunting:

• If possible, stay away from the city lights, which make it difficult to see fainter meteors. To increase your chances of seeing shooting stars, head out in search of dark skies in the countryside.
• If you must use a flashlight, place a red filter over the bulb (a red balloon will do for tying). White light is very glaring and can affect your night vision.
• dress warmly Although the Perseids occur in summer, it’s still a good idea to bring warm (even winter) clothing. August nights can be very chilly.
• Sit back and relax on a lounge chair or lie down on a blanket. Not only is it much more comfortable to watch the stars while lying down, you also see more.
• Pack a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee – this comes in handy if you’re falling asleep or feeling a little cold!
• Be patient. It may be a while before you see your first shooting star. Don’t give up so easily… It’s worth the wait!