Perseid meteor shower, northern lights expected to again be visible in Minnesota overnight
MINNEAPOLIS — The combination of the Perseid meteor shower and northern lights amazed Minnesotans Sunday night. If you missed it, there's another chance to see both on Monday and Tuesday.
The Perseids, one of the best shows of the year, will continue through Aug. 24, but the most dazzling part of the display began on Sunday evening.
The show will compete with the light from a waxing crescent moon that won't set until a little before 11 p.m. Therefore, the best time to catch the meteor shower is after 11 p.m. Monday until dawn.
One to two shooting stars are expected to be visible every minute.
According to NASA, you can look in any direction to see the meteor shower, but they'll be originating in the northeast sky from the constellation Perseus. The moon will be at 50% illumination.
Meanwhile, a geomagnetic storm is ongoing, so it will again be possible to see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. Though it's less likely, there's also another chance for an aurora Tuesday night.
If you're looking to better your chances of seeing the aurora, get away from city lights. Cameras will show a more vivid picture, too.
Minnesotans who witnessed the aurora shared their pictures with WCCO. View the gallery here.
Weather conditions are expected to cooperate for both events, except for some patchy clouds in southwestern Minnesota.