Meteor Showers on Cape Cod

When and Where to See Meteor on Cape Cod

And there's no better time for sky-gazing than those few nights a year when meteors ("shooting stars") are showering.

The mid-August Perseids Shower usually puts on the best show of the year.

But there are lots of other good times to go outside and look up, too ...

Yes, this is a chilly one! So bundle up and grab a thermos of hot cocoa to take with you on meteor watch.

This year's Quadrantids are expected to produce about 60 meteors per hour, so if there's a cloudless sky, there could be some good viewing.

Peak Time: The hours just before dawn on January 4th

Peak Rate: 50-75 meteors per hour

Direction: From the north-northeast

The Lyrids are somewhat unpredictable. Most years the Lyrids produce 10-20 bright, occasionally "long-tailed", meteors per hour. But on a good year, the rate might rise to 100+ per hour.

The fireballs are amazing to see, so it might be worth getting up before dawn to check out the sky.

Peak Time: The hours just before dawn on April 22nd

Peak Rate: 10-20 meteors per hour

Direction: From the northeast

PERSEIDS SHOWER - August 12-13, 2012

The Persieds shower is probably the best known, most watched meteor shower of all ... and my favorite, for a couple reasons.

First, the Persieds routinely produce some spectacular meteor sightings, year after year.

Second (and maybe most importantly) it's warm around here in August!

Peak Times: Midnight to dawn on August 12th and August 13th

Peak Rate: 100 or more meteors per hour are possible

Direction: From the northeast

DRACONIDS SHOWER - October 7, 2012

This is one of those meteor showers that's usually pretty sparse with only a few meteors per hour. But on rare occasion, it produces a magnificent display.

Since the Draconids are mostly seen in the early evening hours shortly after dark (no getting up in the middle of the night required), it's worth watching the sky for a while, just in case this might be a particularly good year!

Peak Times: From nightfall into early evening on October 7 and 8

Peak Rate: Usually just a few per hour, but on an exceptional year it could be hundreds per hour

Direction: From the north

LEONID SHOWER - November 16-17, 2012

A few years back the Leonids produced the most incredible meteor shower I've ever seen.

At one point during the night, most of our neighbors were on the beach with us, braving some unseasonably cold conditions, watching hundreds of shooting stars streaking across the sky.

The 2012 Leonids probably won't be quite so numerous. But the moon will set early enough in the evening to make for good viewing conditions.

Peak Times: Late night November 16th to dawn November 17th

Peak Rate: 10-20 meteors per hour

Direction: From the south

Here in New England, it's kind of chilly for sky watching in December. But the Geminids shower is a good reason to bundle up and head outside.

Watch for the brightest Geminids. You might see them flash colors of blue, yellow or green.

Peak Time: After midnight to early morning December 13th to 14th

Peak Rate: 75-100 meteors per hour

Direction: From the northeast

On Cape Cod, that means almost anywhere is good ... except maybe the more commercial areas of Falmouth, Hyannis, Orleans and Provincetown.

My recommendation? Go to the beach. Any beach.

Especially a beach that has few, if any, street lights nearby.

(Hint: Some towns have recently begun turning off street lights here and there, in an effort to conserve energy. When you see a street light fixture somewhere, don't assume it'll be lit at night. Scout out your meteor viewing location the night before the shower, just to be sure!)

What To Bring With You

Here's the short list:

• Warm clothes. It gets chilly at night when you're near the water, even in the middle of summer.
• A beach blanket, inflatable raft or air mattress. For the most comfortable viewing, you'll want to be flat on your back. (Ignore this advice at your own risk. Many a stiff neck has come from watching the sky while sitting in a beach chair. I learned this lesson the hard way.)
• A flashlight. If you've picked the right place, you'll be totally in the dark until your eyes adjust. Bring a flashlight - with fully charged batteries - so you can see where you're going.
• Bug repellant. It can get a little "buggy" on warm summer nights, especially on the beaches of the Outer Cape. So if you're going out to watch the Perseids meteor showers, don't forget your bug repellant. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
• Snacks and drinks. No. Not alcoholic beverages. Those aren't allowed on our public beaches ... and it's against the law to drink and drive, anyway. But do bring some snacks and other beverages. (And please, dispose of your trash properly. Help us keep our beaches beautiful!)

Then how about taking in a Star Party while you're here?

Every Thursday night (weather permitting) in June, July and August, the Cape Cod Astronomical Society hosts a "Star Party" at the Dennis-Yarmouth High School ... home of the Werner-Schmidt Observatory.

Local astronomers set up their telescopes and share lots of interesting information about the stars, the planets and pretty much anything else you'd like to know about the night sky.

The Star Parties are open to the public, free of charge.

For more information, visit the Cape Cod Astronomical Society website. In the upper right-hand side of the CCAS home page you'll find a green box with details about the Star Parties.