Year's Best Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight In NY: How To Watch

NEW YORK – The peak of the Perseid meteor shower arrives Monday night into the early morning hours Tuesday, with up to 15 visible meteors an hour expected to zip across New York's night sky.

The show, which began July 17 and lasts through Aug. 24, is expected to be the best of the year.

“Perseids are not only numerous, they are beautiful. Most of the meteors leave a glittering trail as they pass,” AccuWeather Astronomy Blogger Dave Samuhel says. “They are multi-colored and many are bright."

In years without moonlight, the Perseids are visible at much higher rates, and in outburst years, such as 2016, they can fly at a rate of 150-200 meteors an hour.

"Unfortunately, the moon will be very close to full on the night of the peak, which will wash out the fainter Perseids," NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke told Space.com.

The #PerseidMeteorShower is coming up! The best chance to see a few may be tonight as skies will be clear ✨ and clouds will move in Monday night ☁️ A waxing gibbous moon will make viewing more difficult so head to the darkest spot you can find! #Perseids #Perseids2019 pic.twitter.com/bPbIC4Q5aZ — Geoff Bansen (@WeatherGeoff) August 11, 2019

The Perseids are best seen between about 2 a.m. and dawn, NASA says.

Now the big question: will the weather cooperate? The forecast for early Tuesday isn't great. There's a 20 percent chance of rain and clouds could it make it difficult to spot meteors.
The following parks will stay open Monday night through the peak viewing times early Tuesday:

For those wishing to view, the biggest problem will be finding a dark enough place. Binoculars are not necessary. Look toward the northeast to enjoy the celestial show.

A pro tip from NASA: Remember to let your eyes become adjusted to the dark (it takes about 30 minutes) – you’ll see more meteors that way. Try to stay off your phone too, as looking at devices with bright screens will negatively affect your night vision and hence reduce the number of meteors you see.

— With reporting by Patch National Editor Beth Dalbey