The Perseid Meteor Shower peaks this weekend . . . specifically late Saturday night going into Sunday morning. Here are some tips to give you the best shot at seeing some "shooting stars" . . .
1. Go to a spot away from city lights. The best viewing is going to be under a dark sky with no clouds, far away from city lights and street lamps.
2. Wear warm clothing. Even in the summer months, it can get pretty cold sitting outside waiting around for a meteor shower. You should have a jacket, a blanket, and maybe a warm beverage like hot cocoa.
3. A red flashlight. Regular flashlights and even your phone emit too much bright light to allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. If you want a chance at seeing the fainter meteors, it might be worth picking up a redlight flashlight.
4. A chair that reclines. Watching for meteors involves a lot of looking up at the sky, which can strain your neck. Your best options are to lie flat on the ground, or use a chair that reclines.
5. Patience. It could take about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark. And resist the urge to look at your phone, because its light will mess up your night vision.
(Space / Smithsonian / Forbes)