Camas resident Doug Tweet shares information on the annual Perseid Meteor shower
This weekend there is the possibility to see two celestial events. The annual Perseid Meteor shower is expected to be visible with a forecast of clear skies. Northern lights may also be seen in northern Clark County. Following are tips about how to view these heavenly lights.
The “Perseids,” one of the strongest meteor showers of the year, peaks the night of Sunday, Aug. 11. It is named after the constellation Perseus, out of which the meteors appear to emerge (see photo). Perseus is found just above the northeastern horizon.


Meteors should be visible for several days before and after the peak, but the moon can wash them out. Fortunately, the moon is in a crescent phase, setting about 10:31 pm August 9, getting brighter each evening and setting at 11:34 p.m. Sunday. Assuming no clouds, viewing will be best after the moon sets.
It is ideal to find a dark place away from city lights, but at the same time you need to let your eyes adapt to the darkness. This can take 20-30 minutes. Staring at your cell phone screen can keep your eyes from adjusting. If you need light to walk around, make a red light, e.g. by taping red cellophane over a flashlight; red light does not bother your night vision so much.
A good way to enjoy the Perseids is to set out a lawn chair, dress warmly enough for the weather, and look mostly straight up but with a view to the north. Just use your own two eyes; no telescope or binoculars are needed (they actually make it harder to spot meteors). In dark conditions 50 meteors an hour could be expected.
In addition, there is the chance to see the northern lights (aurora), but you will likely need to travel further north from Vancouver. Aurora is expected to be visible above the northern horizon at least both tonight and tomorrow night (August 9 and 10). https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental. The same recommendations for viewing meteors also work for northern lights. Key is to give your eyes time to adapt to the dark. The only difference is that your cell phone camera will come in useful, since it is more sensitive to dim light and colors than your eyes. To your naked eye the aurora may appear as a haze, but your camera may reveal reds and greens. However, try not to stare at your screen, ruining your night vision.
Hope you get a chance to see an aurora with a meteor streaking through.
Doug Tweet
Camas
Also read:
- Opinion: Vancouver’s new $30 rental fee will increase rents in the cityMark Harmsworth argues Vancouver’s new $30 rental unit fee will raise rents, discourage investment, and worsen affordability, urging the city to repeal the policy and pursue market-driven housing solutions.
- Opinion: The right speed to exitDoug Dahl of Target Zero explains that while exit-only freeway lanes follow the posted speed limit, drivers are legally required to reduce speed based on safety conditions as they approach offramps.
- Letter: It’s time for Vancouver to choose changeVancouver resident Michael Jelineo calls for new leadership in the city and voices his support for Justin Forsman in the mayoral race, urging others to back change.
- Opinion: ‘Vilifying broad swaths of Americans’Editor Ken Vance reflects on troubling posts by public defender Renee Alsept and shares a thoughtful perspective from longtime attorney Brad Andersen on ethics, discourse, and professionalism.
- POLL: Should the county update its Human Resources policy to include personal social media accounts of employees in sensitive roles?This week’s Clark County Today poll asks whether the county should update its Human Resources policy to include personal social media accounts of employees in sensitive roles, following concerns over online conduct.