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One of the brightest meteor showers of the year is set to dazzle Vancouver skies

At its peak, the Perseids will deliver up to 50 to 80 bright meteors per hour
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert
perseid-meteor-shower-august-2021
The Perseid meteor shower will peak in Vancouver on Aug. 12 and Aug. 13, 2021. Here are some tips on how to view one of the best displays of the year.Photo via Haitong Yu / Getty Images

If you live for awe-inspiring celestial spectacles, you won't want to miss this month's meteor shower extraordinaire. 

The Perseid meteor shower never fails to offer numerous, bright shooting stars for a breathtaking summer display. Best of all, the Perseid shower is one of the easiest to view from the Northern Hemisphere.  

Each year, the Perseids are viewable as Earth passes through "the path of Comet Swift-Tuttle from July 17 to Aug. 24," explains Space.com. 

The shower will peak on Aug.12 and Aug. 13. When the sky is darkest — in the darkest hours after midnight — up to "50 to 80 meteors per hour can streak across the sky," according to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). And in the nights leading up to the peak, an increasing number of shooting stars will become visible, too. 

Where the shower got its name 

The Perseid meteors "appear to fall" from the constellation Perseus, notes the CSA. Additionally, the constellation is at its highest point in the sky right before dawn when the most shooting stars are visible. 

Greek mythological hero Perseus defeated Medusa by using a reflective shield to "turn her powers against her."

perseus-perseid-meteor-shower-vancouver-2021Photo via Canadian Space Agency

Meteor hunting tips in Metro Vancouver 

To fully enjoy the spectacle, here are a few tips for meteor hunting:

  • If possible, head away from city lights, which make it hard to see fainter meteors. To increase your chances of seeing shooting stars, set out in search of dark skies in the countryside.
  • If you need to use a flashlight, place a red filter over the bulb (a red balloon will do in a bind). White light is very blinding and may affect your night vision.
  • Dress warmly. Even though the Perseids occur in the summertime, it is still a good idea to bring warm (even winter) clothes. August nights can be very chilly.
  • Sit back and relax on a reclining chair or lie down on a blanket. Not only is it much more comfortable to observe the stars lying down, but you'll also see more that way.
  • Pack a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee—it will come in handy if you start to drift off or get a little chilly!
  • Be patient. It might take a while before you see your first shooting star. Don't be quick to give up... It's worth the wait!