Meadow Creek Ranch Inn

Meteor Showers and Star Gazing in Yosemite

Meteor Showers and Star Gazing in Yosemite

"ESO-VLT-Laser-phot-33a-07" by ESO - http://www.eso.org/gallery/v/ESOPIA/Paranal/phot-33a-07.tif.html. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ESO-VLT-Laser-phot-33a-07.jpg#mediaviewer/File:ESO-VLT-Laser-phot-33a-07.jpg

The Milky Way can be clearly seen in the night sky in Mariposa and Yosemite National Park on clear nights.

One of the things I love most about Meadow Creek Ranch are all the stars you can see with no lights around. Some of our guests come with their telescopes or to watch meteor showers. You can join one of the star gazing tours in Yosemite at this link: http://www.yosemitepark.com/stargazing-tour.aspx

 

Spotting meteors is common all year long and they can be quite brilliant in our darker skies, but if you would like to see one of the spectacular shows away from city lights you might want to schedule your trip around these meteor showers in 2014:

NameDate of PeakMoon
QuadrantidsNight of January 2Just past new
LyridsNight of April 21Rises around 3 a.m.
Eta AquaridsNight of May 5Sets after midnight
Comet 209P/LINEARNight of May 23Early morning crescent
PerseidsNight of August 12In view most of the night
OrionidsNight of October 21Dawn crescent
LeonidsNights of November 16/17Early morning crescent
GeminidsNight of December 13In view after midnight

NOTES These are approximate times for the Lower 48 states; actual shower times can vary. Bright moonlight makes it difficult to see all but the brightest meteors.