Stargazing Guide: Upcoming Meteor Showers In Central Minnesota

Do you like stargazing? Are you one of those people who will stay up all night, grab a friend, a blanket, and some snacks, and plan to spend the night outdoors telling stories and watching the stars? If that sounds like you, now is the perfect time to look up.

Between now and mid-August, the night skies over Central Minnesota (and beyond) are going to put on a dazzling show. Three different meteor showers will light up the darkness, each bringing its unique flare to the midnight hours. Whether you're hoping to see a few bright fireballs or dozens of meteors flying across the sky in rapid bursts, there's something in store for everyone.

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ALPHA CAPRICORNIDS

The Alpha Capricornids have already begun and will hit their peak somewhere around July 29th through July 30th. This meteor shower isn’t known for delivering a high number of meteors per hour, but what it lacks in volume, it makes up for in brilliance. The real treat is its potential to produce big, bold fireballs that are bright enough to catch your breath. The best time to try your luck is after 10 p.m., when the skies darken and those unexpected flares might make an appearance.

SOUTHERN DELTA AQUARIIDS

If you're looking for a little more activity, the Southern Delta Aquariids might be more your style. Kicking off around Friday, July 18th, they’ll also reach their peak the same nights as the Alpha Capricornids on July 29th and 30th. The Aquariids can offer up a steady stream of 20 to 25 meteors per hour. While they might not be as bright as the fireballs from the Capricornids, the higher frequency gives you more chances to spot something special. Set your alarm or stay up late and bring all your late-night stargazing buddies, as these are best viewed between midnight and dawn.

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PERSEIDS

The Perseids are the crown jewel of summer meteor showers. Unless there is cloud cover ruining the view, they are typically the most anticipated, and they rarely disappoint.

This year, peak viewing will be on August 12th and 13th, with the potential to see up to 75 meteors an hour blazing across the sky. While there might be some interference from a bright moon, the Perseids tend to be bold and plentiful enough to shine through. Even if you miss the peak, don't worry—the Perseids will remain active for several weeks, so you can make a plan to view them on another night, should your original plans fall through due to inclement weather.

DON'T MISS THESE GREAT SUMMER SHOWS

With all the summer nighttime sky activity, pretty much all you have to do is show up! It might not be great the first night, but if you keep trying, eventually you will see some pretty cool meteors flying through the dark sky millions of miles away, which is pretty incredible in and of itself. Get your friends together and make a pact that THIS will be the year you're spending quality time together under the stars.

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Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF