THE PERSEID METEOR SHOWER IS ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED CELESTIAL EVENTS ON ASTRONOMERS’ CALENDARS. AND JASPER NATIONAL PARK, THE WORLD’S SECOND-LARGEST DARK SKY PRESERVE, IS AN EXCEPTIONAL PLACE TO WATCH.

It’s a marvelous spectacle to behold: bright streaks cross the night sky as tiny pieces of comet debris burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.

The Perseids Meteor Shower happens every year in the late summer, generally peaking in mid-August. In 2027, they are expected to peak on the night of August 12 into the early morning of August 13.

The 2027 peak coincides with a bright waxing gibbous moon, so moonlight will make fainter meteors harder to spot while the moon is above the horizon.

For the best experience, find a dark location away from artificial lights and give your eyes time to adjust. The pre-dawn hours generally offer the best viewing. If the moon is visible, position yourself so that a building or tree blocks its direct glare while leaving you a wide view of the sky. This can improve comfort, though moonlight will still brighten the surrounding sky. Bring a blanket or reclining chair, dress warmly, and settle in for the show.

How did the Perseids get their name? The meteors originate from Comet Swift-Tuttle and become visible as Earth passes through the debris left along the comet’s orbit. But from the ground looking up, they seem to come from the direction of the constellation Perseus.