SOUTHERN MARYLAND — One of the most anticipated meteor showers of the year peaks tonight, giving Southern Maryland residents a chance to watch the Perseids streak across the night sky.
The Perseid meteor shower will peak overnight Wednesday, Aug. 12, into the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 13. NASA describes the Perseids as one of the most popular meteor showers of the year, known for producing bright meteors and fireballs.
For residents of St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties, watching tonight does not require a telescope, expensive camera or astronomy experience. The key is finding the darkest legal viewing location possible, getting away from artificial lights and giving your eyes time to adjust.
That makes Southern Maryland’s rural areas potentially well suited for viewing — but where you go can make a major difference. Bright parking lots, streetlights and headlights can wash out fainter meteors, while parks, beaches and other public properties may be closed by the time the best viewing begins.
If you plan to stay up for tonight’s show, here’s what to know about when to watch, where to look and how to give yourself the best chance of seeing the Perseids.
What Time To Watch The Perseids Tonight
NASA Science reports that the Perseids peak the night of Aug. 12 into the early morning of Aug. 13. This year’s viewing conditions should be particularly favorable because the peak coincides with a new moon, meaning bright moonlight will not interfere with the show.
Plan on giving yourself plenty of time to watch rather than stepping outside for five minutes and expecting to immediately see a meteor. The sky can be quiet for stretches before several meteors appear.
Before leaving home tonight, check the hourly weather forecast for your part of Southern Maryland. Cloud cover can prevent meteor viewing even when astronomical conditions are otherwise favorable. Haze and moisture also can reduce visibility, an important consideration around the Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent River, Potomac River and other Southern Maryland waterways.
If skies are clear, find a comfortable spot and settle in. NASA recommends giving your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
Finding Darker Skies In Southern Maryland
Darkness is one of the most important considerations when choosing where to watch tonight. A location that feels dark at street level may still have significant light pollution from nearby homes, businesses, highways or population centers.
NASA advises viewers to get away from city lights and find the darkest location possible because darker surroundings make more meteors visible.
In St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties, look for a legal viewing location with a broad, unobstructed view of the sky and limited nearby development. Rural areas may offer darker conditions than town centers, but that does not mean every rural roadside, farm or field is available to visitors.
Public parks may look like ideal viewing locations on a map, but many close after dark or restrict nighttime access. The Maryland Park Service, which operates state parks throughout Maryland, notes that hours vary by location and season and directs visitors to check individual park information before visiting.
Never assume a beach, boat ramp, park, preserve or recreation area is open overnight. Check official operating hours and rules before making the trip.
The St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation & Parks also manages numerous parks, landings and beaches with their own posted hours and rules.
Private farms and fields should be treated as private property unless the owner has granted permission. Road shoulders are also poor viewing locations because passing headlights can ruin night vision, and stopping may be unsafe or prohibited.
Where Should You Look Tonight?
You do not need to keep your eyes fixed on one tiny point in the sky.
Choose a spot that provides the widest possible view, preferably without trees, buildings or utility lights blocking large portions of the sky.
NASA Science advises looking toward the northeast once it is fully dark and watching for the constellation Perseus to clear the horizon. Perseus is the shower’s radiant — the point from which the meteors appear to originate — although Perseid meteors can streak across different parts of the sky.
A reclining chair or blanket can make a longer viewing session more comfortable and allow you to scan a broad area of sky without repeatedly craning your neck.
Once settled, spend time watching rather than repeatedly checking your phone. A bright screen can interfere with your night vision just when your eyes are becoming accustomed to the darkness.
For viewers who want more guidance, a current sky map or astronomy app can show the position of Perseus and other objects from a Maryland location.
Protect Your Night Vision
Your eyes need time away from bright light to become more sensitive under dark conditions.
NASA recommends allowing 20 to 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness before expecting to see the meteor shower at its best.
Turn down your phone’s brightness before arriving at your viewing location and avoid unnecessary screen use while watching. Flashlights and vehicle headlights can also interfere with your eyes’ adjustment.
If you need a light for walking or handling equipment, use it sparingly and be considerate of other people watching nearby.
Do not give up immediately if you do not see much when you first arrive. Stars that are difficult to notice when you step out of the car may become much easier to see after spending time in darkness.
What If It Is Cloudy Tonight?
Southern Maryland weather does not always cooperate with astronomy plans.
If clouds cover the sky tonight, check the hourly forecast to see whether conditions could improve later. A cloudy evening does not necessarily mean the entire overnight viewing period will be lost.
And if the weather refuses to cooperate, the Perseids will not disappear immediately after tonight’s peak.
NASA Science reports that the Perseids remain active from mid-July through late August, meaning there may still be opportunities to spot Perseid meteors after the peak, although activity will generally be lower.
Residents closer to Washington or more developed portions of Southern Maryland can also consider whether traveling farther from concentrated artificial lighting is worthwhile. Even within the same county, moving away from commercial corridors and heavily developed areas can noticeably change the darkness of the sky.
The simplest strategy for tonight is also the most practical: check the weather, find a legal dark location, get comfortable, put away the phone and give yourself time to watch.
The Perseids reward patience more than equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a telescope to see the Perseid meteor shower in Maryland? No. According to NASA Science, no special equipment is needed to watch the Perseids. Meteor watching benefits from a wide view of the sky rather than the narrow field of view provided by a telescope.
Where is the best place to watch the Perseids in Southern Maryland? Look for a legal location in St. Mary’s, Calvert or Charles county with limited artificial lighting and a broad, unobstructed view of the sky. Verify nighttime access before visiting any park, beach, landing or recreation area. The Maryland Park Service and St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation & Parks provide current information for properties they manage.
What time should I watch the Perseid meteor shower tonight? NASA Science reports that the Perseids peak overnight Aug. 12 into the early morning of Aug. 13. Give yourself a long viewing window and allow 20 to 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Check the hourly weather forecast before heading out.
Where should I look for the Perseids? NASA Science advises looking toward the northeast once it is fully dark as the constellation Perseus rises. However, meteors can streak across different parts of the sky, so a wide, unobstructed view is more useful than staring at a single point.
Can clouds affect meteor shower viewing? Yes. Significant cloud cover can obscure the sky, while haze can reduce visibility. Check an hourly Southern Maryland weather forecast before traveling to a viewing location.
What if I miss the Perseids tonight? The meteor shower remains active beyond its peak. NASA Science reports that the Perseids are active from mid-July through late August, although the peak offers the greatest concentration of activity.
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- Perseid Meteor Shower Will Be Visible From Maryland This Week: Here’s How To See It
- Southern Maryland Bucket List: 20 Things to Do Before Summer Ends
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