July 31 @ 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 a crescent, so we’ve got minimal moonlight to wash out the stars. And there are multiple meteor showers visible:
The Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids meteors reached their peak recently — look to the Southern skies for these.
Also, look for the Perseids in the dark northern skies. Tonight’s dark skies are probably better for meteor spotting than their official peak in August.
Hopefully the weather corporates and the skies are clear!
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!
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.
