July 26 @ 9:00 pm – 11:59 pm
Hey fellow sky watchers and stargazers! Fingers crossed that the clouds will stay away and it will be nice weather.
Here’s why tonight is looking particularly promising:
Why Tonight is Special
The moon just started its waxing crescent phase, so we’ve got minimal moonlight to wash out the stars.
When the Perseids peak on August 12th, the moon will be 84% full, washing out many of the fainter meteors.
Tonight’s dark skies are actually better for meteor spotting than the official peak in August!
Hopefully the weather corporates and the skies are clear!
What You Might See Tonight
Planets: Mars is visible in the western sky after sunset for the first couple hours after dark. Saturn rises around 11:30 PM and will be high in the southern sky by dawn.
Meteors: While the Perseid shower won’t hit its numerical peak until August 12th, it’s been active since July 17th. Look northeast toward the Perseus constellation for possible shooting stars.
Stars & Constellations: With the dark sky, it’s a good time to spot constellations. Here’s a few to quiz friends with viewable in our summer skies: Big Dipper, Orion, and The Eagle (see video below).
Auroras: The aurora viewline has been flirting with Vancouver Island lately… bookmark and checkout the aurora prediction map and maybe get some cool photos while you are sky watching!
When to Look Up
Sunset: Around 9:15 PM (varies slightly across the Island)
Best viewing: After 10 PM when it gets fully dark
Mars viewing window: 9:15 PM – 11:00 PM (sets in the west)
Saturn rises: Around 11:30 PM
Prime dark sky window: 10 PM – 2 AM
For meteor watching, focus your gaze northeast after 10 PM. The Perseids appear to radiate from the Perseus constellation, but can streak across any part of the sky.
This is one of those nights where the conditions just line up better than they will for the “official” peak. Even if you don’t catch any meteors, the dark sky alone makes it worth stepping outside for a few minutes to appreciate what’s above us.
Sky Viewing Spots
Anywhere away from city lights, here are some nearby spots to check out:
Comox Valley:
- Forbidden Plateau area – Always great for skygazing
- Kin Beach and Kye Bay for wide-open views
Campbell River & North:
- McIvor Lake – Far enough from city lights for excellent viewing
- Elk Falls Provincial Park – The playground area in the campsite has great dark sky access
- Campbell Lake – Find a spot with an open view to the northeast
- Rebecca Spit on Quadra Island – Short ferry ride for wide-open sky views
- Buttle Lake in Strathcona Park – Laying on the beach watching meteors is unforgettable
Really, anywhere on the Island away from city lights with a clear view to the northeast works. The key is getting away from light pollution!
Sky data sourced from Harvard CfA Current Night Sky and TimeandDate.com Campbell River. For more detailed Perseid viewing info, check out our complete Perseid guide.
