Most people go camping for the scenic bauty they see in the daytime. But camping when it’s dark – especially when it’s really, really dark – can reveal even more spectacular sights during two meteor showers this winter.
The Geminids and the Quadrantids meteor showers will send shooting stars blazing through the heavens and local stargazers say camping can be one of the best ways to watch the cosmic action.
Go on Red Lights
For stargazing, it’s best to get a light with a red filter or dimmable white light because strong white light limits your night vision.
“You’re generally away from the lights so you can really see,” says Ed Sunder, vice president of the Chattanooga-based Barnard Astronomical Society. “You may encounter one of those things that’s just a spectacular show.”
Astronomers say the Geminids will be visible from Dec. 6 to 19, but the peak will be between midnight and 2 a.m. on Dec. 13 and 14. At the peak, stargazers in the darkest areas could see as many as 60 meteors per hour.