If you love shooting stars, the Perseid meteor shower is projected to peak this weekend, and staff at Whiterock Conservancy near Coon Rapids invite stargazers to cast their eyes skyward from the Star Field Campground. This location in the 5,500-acre land trust is considered one of Iowa’s darkest places, making it a prime viewing location. The Perseid meteor shower will be most visible between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Aug. 11-13. The spectacular show of up to 100 meteors per hour is created as Earth passes through particulate left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle as both celestial bodies orbit the sun. This year marks particularly good viewing conditions as light from the moon is near the low point in its monthly cycle.
