Perseid meteor shower peaks midweek with ideal viewing conditions despite coastal fog

The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak on Wednesday night into early Thursday, with the American Meteor Society forecasting more than 50 meteors per hour in the predawn sky. NASA says the new-moon timing should provide ideal visibility across North America, including the San Francisco Bay Area, provided weather permits.

Astronomer Peter Jenniskens of the SETI Institute noted that the best viewing time will be around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, when meteors enter the atmosphere at a shallow angle, creating long, grazing trails. He cautioned that the shallow angle may reduce the number of meteors seen per hour, but the elongated tracks will be especially striking.

Coastal fog is forecast to be strong Tuesday and Wednesday, with the marine layer expected to rise to about 1,500 feet on Tuesday and at least 2,000 feet on Wednesday, potentially obscuring popular viewing spots such as Panoramic Highway in Marin County and Skyline Boulevard in San Mateo County. A surge of monsoon moisture may bring scattered mid- and high-level clouds and occasional rain showers to the Bay Area in the early morning hours, particularly over the Santa Cruz Mountains and Diablo Range.

Skywatchers away from the coast are likely to have clearer skies, though intermittent cloud gaps could appear. NASA recommends staying out for at least an hour, finding a dark location, and allowing 30 minutes for eye adaptation. Observers should look toward the northeast but keep their eyes scanning the whole sky.

Local venues are hosting watch parties, including the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, the Robert Ferguson Observatory at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, and the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley, each offering ticketed events for the peak viewing period.