On a recent warm evening, my wife and I, nestled in camp chairs, found ourselves surrounded by fellow stargazers at the Mt. Pinos Nordic Base, a designated dark sky spot just a drive away from Los Angeles. Suddenly, an exhilarating shout echoed through the night as a meteor blazed across the sky, igniting gasps and cheers from the crowd of curious observers.
Having traveled from the bustling city of Los Angeles to witness the magic of the cosmos, we were joined by several amateur astronomers equipped with their telescopes, all eager to catch sight of shooting stars. That night, we were fortunate to experience a handful of meteors, but for you, dear reader, the upcoming Perseid meteor shower presents an even greater opportunity, peaking between midnight and dawn on the night of Tuesday into early Wednesday. Even if you cannot venture out this time, don’t fret; there are numerous meteor showers throughout the year that promise spectacular views.
Before diving into the best locations to see the Perseids around Los Angeles, let’s delve into the fascinating world of meteor showers, which I hope enriches your viewing experience.
So, what exactly constitutes a meteor shower?
When you’re gazing at the night sky during a meteor shower, you are actually witnessing space debris—often described as tiny grains of sand—burning up as they enter Earth’s atmosphere at speeds reaching tens of thousands of miles per hour. Vanessa Alarcon, an astronomical observer at the Griffith Observatory, explains that the Perseid meteor shower showcases debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle, particularly as it approaches perihelion, or its closest point to the sun. Comet Swift-Tuttle, often referred to as a “cosmic snowball,” releases ice and rock particles as it nears the sun, forming a debris field in its wake.
Each August, Earth moves through this debris field, allowing stargazers to catch the Perseids, aptly named because the meteors appear to radiate from a point in the constellation Perseus.
Have you ever wondered how old the debris you see burning across the sky might be?
Interestingly, it takes comet Swift-Tuttle approximately 133 years to orbit the sun completely. Initially, I assumed that this year’s Perseid meteor shower would be from debris left behind from Swift-Tuttle’s last close pass in 1992. However, I learned from Paul Chodas, director of the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, that the particles in the Perseids are generally hundreds to thousands of years old.
As you observe the meteors, it’s incredible to think that centuries ago, others were also gazing at the sky, watching Swift-Tuttle shed its space dust. Human records of Swift-Tuttle date back to at least 69 BC, when it was documented as a “guest star” traversing the sky. Remarkably, this comet will make its grand appearance again in 2126, offering perhaps a future generation the chance to witness its cosmic journey when they are 101 years old.
For those in the Los Angeles area eager to catch the Perseids, setting realistic expectations is essential.
This year, the moon will be 84% full during the peak of the shower, which may obscure some meteors. Vanessa Alarcon reassures hopeful sky watchers, stating that even with light interference from the moon, determined observers will still be able to spot meteors, and personally, I believe witnessing even a few meteors is a spectacular experience. Alarcon has even managed to see meteors from the Griffith Observatory, right in the heart of Los Angeles.
For your ease, Times contributor Matt Pawlik compiled a fantastic list of recommended locations to view the Perseids, and I would like to add a few spots based on my discoveries via a light pollution map.
Here are some suggested locations near Los Angeles:
– **The Vetter Mountain Lookout:** This lookout, accessible via a 5-mile round-trip hike, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the San Gabriel Mountains, making it an ideal spot for a night of stargazing.
– **Monte Cristo Campground:** Situated at 3,600 feet, this first-come, first-served campground is distant enough from the glow of Los Angeles to potentially provide clearer views of the Perseids.
– **Chilao Campground:** Located at 5,300 feet, this spacious campground boasts excellent views of the night sky. Nearby Mt. Hillyer, which is accessible via an eight-mile round trip from the campground entrance, also presents a great observation location for the meteor shower.
– **The Buckhorn Day Use Area:** If camping isn’t on your agenda, this spot at over 6,500 feet can serve as a perfect place to relax and wait for the celestial show. Alternatively, the Buckhorn Campground offers a serene pine-filled environment, and there’s the option of backpacking to the nearby Cooper Canyon Trail Camp, which features scenic views and amenities including bear boxes and a vault toilet.
– **The Islip Saddle Day Use Area:** Located deeper into Angeles National Forest, this area is even higher up at about 6,660 feet. For the adventurous, consider backpacking to Little Jimmy Trail Camp, a two-mile trek that rewards hikers with expansive views of the starlit sky.
By attending the Perseids, you’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to science by reporting your sightings to the International Meteor Organization. To date, more than 4.3 million meteors have been logged in its Visual Meteor Database, with just over 8,000 reported this year by 62 observers. Your contributions could enhance this growing database.
For stargazers who may miss the Perseids, fret not!
There are several upcoming meteor showers to look forward to this year:
– **Orionids:** Slated to peak on October 22-23, this meteor shower comes highly recommended by experts, as the moon visibility will be minimal, ensuring a dark sky.
– **Geminids:** This shower usually showcases the strongest meteors of the year, peaking around December 13. The moon will be a waning crescent, about 30% full, allowing for better visibility of meteors.
– **Ursids:** For those who don’t celebrate Christmas or wish to enjoy some Hanukkah nights under the stars, consider the Ursids meteor shower, which is set to peak the night of December 21 into the dawn of the following day. With barely visible moonlight, expect a dark sky perfect for meteor watching. Adventurous types may want to make a trip to Joshua Tree National Park, known as an International Dark Sky Park, where camping spots are still available during this festive season.
In my discussion with Alarcon about the allure of meteor showers, she reflected on why these celestial events continue to fascinate humanity. “Part of it, I feel like, as an L.A. native, is that it’s because we’re always deprived of [night sky], so it’s nice to go out and try to recognize things our ancestors across the world … had a fascination with,” she remarked. “It’s getting back to human roots.”
In addition to the cosmic events, there are also some earthly activities to consider for your weekend plans:
1. **Bike and Learn About Oil Fields in Inglewood:** The Sierra Club Angeles Chapter will host a guided bike and bus tour from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, starting in Culver City. Participants will learn about the environmental challenges associated with the Inglewood oil fields and conservation efforts within the Ballona Wetlands. Bikers will traverse the Park to Playa Trail—5.6 miles each way—while bus participants will get off at various points for walking tours. To register, visit sierraclub.org.
2. **Hike Under the Full Moon in Long Beach:** The Los Angeles Hiking Group will offer a four-mile full moon hike at 6 p.m. on Friday around Naples Island. Participants will converge at the Crab Pot (215 N. Marina Drive) with the option to join for dinner, drinks, and dancing afterward at a local restaurant. To register for this event, head to meetup.com.
3. **Fly a Kite in L.A.:** Adam Weiss from the Gratitude Group will be partnering with Adventure Squad for a nature walk and kite-making event on Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon at Griffith Park. The group will enjoy coffee and doughnuts before heading to a scenic spot in the park to make and fly kites. A minimum donation of $10 is requested. Interested individuals can register at eventbrite.com.
Amidst all these activities, let’s also acknowledge the weather shift we’ve experienced. In July, we enjoyed below-average temperatures, but this reprieve appears to be coming to an end. Times staff writer Hannah Fry notes that downtown Los Angeles may soar into the mid-90s by next week, with nearby Woodland Hills and Burbank potentially reaching triple digits. While this isn’t as extreme as previous summers, it is still set to be about 5 to 10 degrees above normal.
If you plan to hike in the coming days, it’s advisable to start early, opt for shaded trails, or consider evening excursions with friends. Alternatively, a day by the lake might just be a refreshing retreat.
In closing, I wanted to share a lighthearted teaser from L.A. County Parks and Recreation regarding their annual “Pooches in the Pool” event, when canine companions are welcomed to swim in county pools prior to their seasonal closure. Historically taking place around Labor Day, specifics are still forthcoming, but the department promised not to keep us waiting too long. “Before a doggy can get soggy with it, we are still finalizing swim dates for our canine chums,” the department humorously stated. It certainly brought a smile to my face, and I will keep you informed as details emerge.
Happy stargazing and outdoor adventures!
image source from：latimes
