GEORGIA — Summer meteor showers are firing up, and now is a perfect time to scope out a dark sky in Georgia. First up is the Delta Aquarid meteor shower. Consider it a dress rehearsal for the highly anticipated Perseid meteor shower. The two showers overlap in early August, and both are already active.
The Delta Aquarids, which officially started July 12 and run through Aug. 23, favor the Southern Hemisphere, but the show is still visible from mid-northern latitudes. They’ll peak here around July 29 to 30, producing around 10 to 20 meteors an hour. An approaching new moon July 31 to Aug. 1 will make for optimum viewing conditions.
The best viewing times are after midnight and before dawn, regardless of your time zones.
Here are some of the best places to watch meteor showers around Georgia, according to Earthsky:
- Dr. Ralph L. Buice Jr. Observatory, 156 Heaton Park Drive, Atlanta
- Fort Mountain State Park, 181 Fort Mountain Park Road, Chatsworth
- North Georgia Astronomical Laboratory, 3000 Dawsonville Highway, Dahlonega
- Stephen C. Foster State Park, 17515 Highway 177, Fargo
- Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, 543 Elliott Trail, Mansfield
- Cooper’s Creek Wildlife Management Area, 8653 Mulkey Gap Road, Suches
SEE ALSO: 2019 Guide To Meteor Showers, Lunar Eclipse, Supermoons In Georgia
via Patch
