Family-Friendly Stargazing: How to Catch the Perseids in Arizona

I'm always looking for simple, fun, free activities I can do with my family. This is one of the events that checks all the boxes. Here's the good news: Arizona is one of the best places to catch this special show.

When and Where to Watch the Perseids

Grab a blanket or some reclining lawn chairs and mark your calendar: the Perseid meteor shower is lighting up Arizona skies from July 17 to August 23. With Arizona's signature dark skies, you'll have a lot of opportunities to catch this amazing event.

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The peak of the shower is expected to happen around August 12th and 13th. The downside is, it'll coincide with a waxing moon. The moon will be about 84% full at the peak of the Perseids. The extra light could wash out a lot of the fainter meteors.

The bright moon will bring some viewing challenges during the height of the shower, but you still have a great window to catch the show. From July 18 to July 28, the darker skies will give you a better chance to see meteors without moonlight interference.

During this time, you could see as many as 20 to 40 meteors per hour, and the best time to catch the show is during the early morning hours between 2 am and 4 am.

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The Best Place to See the Perseid Meteor Shower in Arizona

If you live outside of a major city or urban area, there's a good chance you'll be able to catch the show right in your own backyard. If you need to get outside of the city lights, you won't have to go too far, because of Arizona's abundance of dark sky areas.

The top spots to see the meteor shower are:

• Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument
• Kitt Peak National Observatory
• Oracle State Park
• Flagstaff (the world’s first International Dark Sky City)
• Sedona and Fountain Hills, both certified Dark Sky Communities

For the best experience, head away from city lights and bring a blanket or reclining chair. Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark. You don't need a telescope, just your eyes.

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Tips for the Best Stargazing Experience

• Pack your favorite snacks and drinks, or make it a full-on picnic.
• Bring a small flashlight and cover the light end with a red balloon. You can turn it on to navigate around your "viewing camp", providing enough light to see where you're going, but your eyes won't need to adjust from the light when you turn it off.
• Download a sky map app and see how many constellations you can locate. Be sure to keep your screen in dark mode.
• Bring a pair of binoculars. While you're waiting for more meteors, you'll be able to see deeper into the sky. You might even be able to spot galaxies!
• Create a small score sheet to see who can spot the most. Let one person keep score (with your red-light flashlight, of course!).

Whether you're a seasoned skywatcher or just looking for a magical night under the stars, the Perseids are a summer tradition worth staying up for, and it's a great way to create screen-free family memories.

Sources: Daily Galaxy | AZ Central | National Park Service | Arizona State Parks | Flagstaff Dark Skies