Annual meteor shower to peak this weekend

Linda Hemmila

Aug 9, 2024 — 2 min read

One of the best shows in the night sky, the Perseids meteor shower, is set to peak this weekend. If the weather cooperates, lucky stargazers will be able to see dozens of meteors per hour.

Bright lights and fog aside, Richmond is a great place to discover all the objects in the night sky, often without the help of a telescope or binoculars, and August is a great time to do so.

The Perseids are active from July 14 to September 1, reaching a maximum on August 11 or 12 this year. Rates observed from darker locations can range from 50 to 100 meteors per hour.

The meteors are particles released from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle as it travels through the solar system. The tiny particles of dust and rocks burn up, passing through the earth's atmosphere, producing brief, but vibrant streaks in the night sky.

The shower is called Perseids because the radiant (the area of the sky where the meteors originate) is located near the constellation of Perseus. To find Perseus, look for the constellation Cassiopeia, which looks like a slightly crooked W. You'll find Perseus is almost directly beneath Cassiopeia.

The best time to look for Perseids is after 11 p.m., when you should watch a broad section of the sky in the northeast direction. Even with moderate light pollution, the brightest of the Perseids should still be visible to the patient observer.

Apps such as SkyView are available for iOS and Android devices to help users navigate the night sky. The app offers free and paid versions, each offering slightly different functionality.

Click to become a Grandview Supporter here, or make a one-time donation here. Grandview is an independent, journalist-run publication exclusively covering Richmond, CA. Every cent we make funds reporting from Richmond's neighborhoods. Copyright © 2024 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.

On the Richmond Burrito Trail: 23rd Street’s El Mexicano Deli y Taqueria

On 23rd Street, El Mexicano Deli y Taqueria delivers a heavyweight contender: the Super Carnitas Burrito. This neighborhood spot caters to hearty appetites with a burrito so packed with pork, rice, and beans that it’s a struggle to conquer. In the middle of the day, the cars whizzing by

Richmond Planning Commission rejects 37th Street emergency shelter proposal

The Richmond Planning Commission has rejected a proposal to convert an office building into an emergency shelter, citing safety, parking, and community compatibility concerns. The unanimous decision at Thursday's meeting marked the culmination of months of heated debate over the project's impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

Historic Richmond bricks free to good home

Brickyard Landing Owners Association will offer historic Richmond-made bricks to Richmond non-profits and civic organizations at an event slated for January. The bricks are what's left of the historic chimney and kiln, which were once part of the Richmond Pressed Brick Company, which had to be demolished for

Victim struck with rifle during attempted robbery on Chanslor Avenue

A man was injured Wednesday night on Chanslor Avenue after being reportedly struck in the head with a rifle during an attempted robbery, police said. According to Richmond Police Department Public Information Officer Lynnelle Sanchez, officers responded to two ShotSpotter activations around 8:58 p.m.: one near Espee Avenue

Read more

On the Richmond Burrito Trail: 23rd Street’s El Mexicano Deli y Taqueria

Richmond Planning Commission rejects 37th Street emergency shelter proposal

Historic Richmond bricks free to good home

Victim struck with rifle during attempted robbery on Chanslor Avenue