Expect traffic delays in the desert area of Southern California, known for having the darkest skies in the region.
California park rangers are anticipating increased traffic in Joshua Tree National Park, located about two hours east of Los Angeles. This surge in traffic is due to stargazers flocking to the California desert to witness the annual Perseids meteor shower, which is set to peak between Aug. 10-12.
In 2023, the meteor shower attracted heavy traffic and thousands of visitors, as reported by the National Park Service.
Officials at the park have warned of potential traffic delays lasting several hours this year, primarily due to its proximity to major cities like Los Angeles.
The dark skies of the desert make Joshua Tree an ideal destination for viewing celestial events such as meteor showers and even rare occurrences like the Aurora Borealis, which made a brief appearance in California in March.
Describing the Perseids meteor shower as an annual event resulting from the intersection of a comet with Earth’s orbit, Robert Lunsford of the American Meteor Society sheds light on the phenomenon.
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To optimize your viewing experience of the meteor shower, it is recommended to find a location away from city lights, as more visible stars increase the chances of spotting meteors, explained Lunsford.
An EarthSky representative informed The Epoch Times that the first quarter moon will set just before midnight on Aug. 12, ensuring dark skies until dawn for uninterrupted viewing.
Parking spots and roadside pullouts within the park are deemed as ideal locations for stargazing, as advised by Joshua Tree’s stargazing hotline.
Stargazers are also encouraged by EarthSky to focus their gaze on the “radiant point” near the Cassiopeia constellation, where upwards of 90 meteors per hour may be visible.
