GoCampingAmerica.com | Posted January
    20th, 2022

               

    5
    Major Meteor Showers Coming to a Sky Near You

               

    Happy Camper Blog

             

             
               
                 

    Watching a
    meteor shower light up the sky can be a truly magical experience for you and
    your family. And since many campgrounds are located in darker areas away from
    the distraction of city lights, camping is one of the best ways to enjoy
    these dazzling astronomical displays. Here’s a quick guide to five major
    meteor showers that will appear in 2022 and how to make the most of
    them.

    First of all, let’s take a quick look at what meteors really are.
    According to NASA, a meteor is a space rock—or meteoroid—that enters Earth’s
    atmosphere. As it falls toward the Earth, the resistance makes it extremely
    hot, creating what’s often called a “shooting star.” What we’re really
    seeing, though, is not the rock itself but the trail of glowing hot air that
    the rock leaves behind as it zips through the atmosphere. Another interesting
    fact is that meteor showers are named for the constellation they appear to be
    coming from. So, for example, the Lyrid meteor shower appears to originate from
    the constellation Lyra.

     

    #1: Lyrids

    Peak viewing: Before dawn on April 21
    and 22

    Estimated # of meteors per
    hour:
      10-15 during peak hours, but surges can occur
    with up to 100 per hour

    Fun fact: These meteors come from a
    comet discovered in 1861 that orbits the sun only once about every 415
    years.

     

    #2: Perseids

    Peak viewing: Before dawn on August
    11-12

    Estimated # of meteors per hour:
    50

    Fun fact: This dazzling meteor
    shower, which comes from the constellation Perseus, even includes fireballs,
    which are explosions of light and color.

     

    #3: Oronids

    Peak viewing: Before dawn on October
    20-21

    Estimated # of meteors per hour:
    15

    Fun fact: These meteors appear to
    radiate from the “club” of the constellation Orion the
    Hunter.

     

    #4 Leonids

    Peak viewing: Before dawn on November
    16-17

    Estimated # of meteors per hour:
    10

    Fun fact: Every 33 years, the Leonids
    have a peak year where they can produce hundreds of meteors per hour, so mark
    your calendar for 2034! In 1966, the Leonids generated as many as thousands
    of meteors per minute over a 15-minute
    span!

     

    #5: Geminids

    Peak viewing: All night on December
    13-14

    Estimated # of meteors per hour: On a
    dark night, 50 or more meteors can be seen per hour.

    Fun fact: These meteors are thought
    to originate from an asteroid instead of a comet.

     

    NASA offers a few helpful tips for spotting these spectacular
    shooting stars:  First, grab some blankets, a sleeping bag and a
    thermos of something warm to drink like hot chocolate. Then lie down and get
    comfortable. Let your eyes relax and try not to look at any particular spot.
    This will make it easier to notice any movement so you’ll be able to spot
    more meteors. Last of all, be patient! The quality of your viewing will
    depend on many factors such as the specific meteor shower, the conditions of
    the sky, the time of day and the phase of the moon. And remember, the dates
    of peak viewing are estimates. The meteors have the final
    say!

     

    Where to Watch

    The darker the sky, the better your chances will be to spot meteor
    showers. The International Dark-Sky Association has identified a list of
    International Dark Sky Communities (link to
    https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/communities/) that are
    dedicated to preserving and protecting dark sites through responsible
    lighting policies and public education. Once you find a dark sky area you’d
    like to visit, go to GoCampingAmerica.com to find a great campground nearby
    where you can get in some quality meteor-watching!