July 23 @ 9:00 pm – 11:59 pm
Hey fellow stargazers! Tonight might just be one of those special nights where (hopefully) everything aligns for great sky watching.
Here’s why tonight is looking particularly promising:
Why Tonight is Special
The moon is in its waning crescent phase, meaning we’ve got beautifully dark skies with minimal moonlight to wash out the stars.
Plus, we’re right in the middle of the Perseid meteor shower’s active period – and here’s the kicker: tonight’s dark skies are actually better for meteor spotting than the official peak in August!
When the Perseids peak on August 12th, the moon will be 84% full, washing out many of the fainter meteors.
Tonight (and over the next week), with our dark sky window, any Perseid activity you spot will be much more visible than during the moonlit peak.
The combination of active meteors and truly dark skies doesn’t happen often, so it’s worth stepping outside to take a look.
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 – and remember, you’ll likely see them much better tonight than during the moonlit peak in August!
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.
Weather Check
As always with sky watching on Vancouver Island, weather is the wild card. Check your local forecast and cross your fingers for clear skies!
Different parts of the Island can have very different conditions, so if it’s cloudy where you are, consider a short drive to clearer skies. 🤞
Why This Matters
This is actually a better meteor-watching opportunity than the official Perseid peak in August.
When August 12th rolls around, that 84% full moon will brighten the sky and wash out all but the brightest meteors.
Tonight’s combination of active Perseids + dark skies is the real sweet spot for Island stargazers.
Tips for Tonight
- Give your eyes 20-30 minutes to adjust to the darkness
- Bring a blanket or chair for comfortable viewing
- Red flashlight if you need one (preserves night vision)
- Look northeast for potential meteors, but they can appear anywhere
- Enjoy the planets while you’re out there!
- Check multiple locations if your first spot is cloudy
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 on Vancouver Island
Anywhere away from city lights, but if you are in a city — here are some nearby spots to check out:
Victoria / South Island:
- Cattle Point – This designated Urban Star Park offers dark skies and great meteor viewing
Mid-Island:
- Pipers Lagoon (Nanaimo) – Park outside the yellow gates & walk out to the peninsula
- Along Nanaimo Lakes Road
- Horne Lake – Excellent for stargazing
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.
