{"id":19621,"date":"2015-08-10T17:40:58","date_gmt":"2015-08-10T09:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/top-5-places-for-seattle-skywatchers-to-see-the-perseid-meteor-shower\/"},"modified":"2015-08-10T17:40:58","modified_gmt":"2015-08-10T09:40:58","slug":"top-5-places-for-seattle-skywatchers-to-see-the-perseid-meteor-shower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/top-5-places-for-seattle-skywatchers-to-see-the-perseid-meteor-shower\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 places for Seattle skywatchers to see the Perseid meteor shower"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Mount
Photographer Jeff Berkes captured this picture of a Perseid meteor flashing over Mount Rainier\u2019s right flank in 2013 with the Milky Way filling the night sky. (Credit: Jeff Berkes Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Perseids are traditionally among the most popular meteor showers of the year, and Seattle is traditionally one of the worst places to watch for meteors. Fortunately, the weather and the stars could align for a potentially good show this week \u2014 and we have five options that will help you make the most of this summertime skywatching tradition.<\/p>\n

Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through the trail of cosmic grit left behind by a comet. For example, the Perseids peak every year on the night of Aug. 12-13, when our planet\u2019s path sweeps through a stream of Comet Swift-Tuttle\u2019s leftovers.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerseid meteor rates can get as high as 100 per hour, with many fireballs visible in the night sky,\u201d Bill Cooke, the head of the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, said in a blog post.<\/p>\n

But that rate assumes you can actually see the night sky, which is not a given in Seattle. The Emerald City leads the list of major U.S. cities in cloudiness, averaging 226 days a year when clouds cover three-quarters of the sky.<\/p>\n

\"Perseid
This sky chart shows the view looking northeast around midnight on Aug. 12-13. The red dot is the Perseid radiant. Although Perseid meteors can appear in any part of the sky, all of their tails will point back to the radiant. (Credit: NASA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This week\u2019s forecast provides some grounds for hope \u2014 with an emphasis on \u201csome.\u201d The outlook for Tuesday night (Aug. 11-12) and Wednesday night (Aug. 12-13) calls for isolated thunderstorms, with skies clearing later overnight. And late night is prime time for meteor showers: Best viewing begins after midnight and lasts till dawn.<\/p>\n

Some years, the glare of the moon spoils the view, but this year the Perseids reach their peak while the moon is in its dark, \u201cnew\u201d phase. That\u2019s a big thumbs-up for meteor-watchers.<\/p>\n

Another source of glare is Seattle\u2019s city lights. You won\u2019t see much if you\u2019re looking out from your lanai in Belltown \u2014 but you\u2019ll have much better luck if you head out to where the skies are clear and dark, get comfortable on a chaise lounge or blanket and give yourself at least a half-hour for your eyes to adjust to the dark.<\/p>\n

The Perseid meteors appear to emanate from a point in the constellation Perseus \u2014 hence the name \u2014 but they can appear anywhere in the sky. The best strategy is to get as wide a view of the sky as possible, with a focus on the radiant point in the northeast.<\/p>\n

\"Rattlesnake
A Perseid meteor flashes halfway up the mountainside in this pre-dawn picture of Rattlesnake Lake from 2010. (Credit: Ken Vensel)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here are five places, near and far, that are haunts for meteor-watchers.<\/p>\n

Alki Beach and Hamilton Viewpoint Park in West Seattle:<\/strong> Alice Enevoldsen, one of the stars of Seattle stargazing, recommends these spots for their open-sky view to the north over Elliott Bay. Green Lake Park is another good in-city option.<\/p>\n

Rattlesnake Ridge near North Bend:<\/strong> If you really<\/em> want to get away from city lights, this could be your first stop. Head east of Seattle on Interstate 90, take Exit 32 and drive 4 miles south on 436th Avenue SE (Cedar Falls Road SE). There\u2019s a parking lot at the recreation area, but if it\u2019s busy, you may have to park (safely!) on the side of the road. Don\u2019t forget your flashlight or headlamp, but be respectful of other watchers in the dark.\n<\/p>\n

\"pluto\"
\nScience journalist Alan Boyle<\/strong> is the author of “The Case for Pluto: How a Little Planet Made A Big Difference.”<\/p>\n

Little Kachess Lake, just past Snoqualmie Pass: <\/strong>Enevoldsen\u2019s favorite out-of-town meteor getaway is a day-use boat ramp on the lake, near Kachess Campground. The site is amid the wilds of the Cascades, so you might want to do some reconnaissance in advance of a midnight meteor run. Follow the signs from Exit 62 on I-90.<\/p>\n

Elk Heights Road, off I-90 east of Cle Elum:<\/strong> This is a serious drive from Seattle, but it\u2019s my favorite stopping-off place when the skies are cloudy on the west side of the mountains. Take Exit 93 off I-90 and turn left at the stop sign. There\u2019s a fruit stand in the area, but don\u2019t expect anyone to be on duty. It\u2019s strictly BYOB (Bring Your Own Berries). State Route 970, leading east from Cle Elum to U.S. 97, can also provide some nice vantage points.<\/p>\n

Mount Rainier Star Party:<\/strong> The country surrounding Washington\u2019s highest peak is a perennial favorite for meteor-watching (and UFO-watching as well), but this year is special. The Seattle Astronomical Society is planning a star party on Tuesday night and Wednesday night at Mount Rainier\u2019s Sunrise Visitor Center. The event is meant for amateur astronomers \u2014 but when the Perseids are out, we\u2019re all amateur astronomers, aren\u2019t we?<\/p>\n

So where\u2019s your favorite place for stargazing? If you don\u2019t mind, share your secret in the comment section. Here\u2019s a map to make it easier to find my favorite spots.<\/p>\n