The Perseids make an appearance every year, with a peak activity of up to 100 visible meteors per hour.
This spectacular display is often considered the best meteor shower of the year. It’s a celestial event you wouldn’t want to miss out on, as a stargazer or as a photographer!
Taking photographs of the Perseid meteor shower can be a simple task, as long as you know when, where, and how to set up your camera for the best results.
You’ll need a bit of patience to capture the perfect shot as meteors streak across the sky swiftly and suddenly. But, with these steps, you’ll likely get a stunning photo for your collection.
When and Where to See the Perseid Meteor Shower
The Perseid meteor shower occurs annually as the Earth passes through the trail of space debris left by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.
In 2024, it is active between July 17 and August 24, peaking in mid-August.
This year, the Perseid meteor shower’s peak falls on the night of August 12 and before dawn on August 13. The best time to see it is between midnight and 6 a.m.
Although the moon will be around 50% illuminated during the Perseids’ peak, it’s expected to set at midnight. The dark skies until dawn will be favorable for meteor hunting and photography.
To find the Perseid meteor shower, look for the point in the sky from which the Perseids appear to originate, also known as their radiant.
This is located in the northern constellation Perseus, the neighbor of the bright and distinctive W constellation Cassiopeia.
You’ll easily spot the Perseids as many leave long trails of light and color while dashing through the atmosphere. There’s also a high chance of seeing very bright meteors or fireballs.
How to Photograph the Perseid Meteor Shower
Here’s how you can capture the beauty of the Perseid meteor shower on camera:
1. Plan Your Photo Shoot
Pick a site with as little light pollution as possible, preferably with a vast open space where you can view the night sky.
This can mean getting out of the city and into the countryside, camping at a nearby park, staying in the shadow of a building, or just turning away from the street lamps.
Check the weather forecast for the day of your shoot. If the weather is bad, it’s better to switch locations or go on another day, as clouds can diminish even the best meteor showers.
Arrive at your shooting spot early to give you time to set up your camera and adjust your settings.
2. Prepare Your Photo Gear
You may be wondering: What tools do I need to bring when photographing the Perseid meteor shower? Here are a few helpful suggestions:
Camera: A DSLR or a mirrorless camera with a manual mode. A wide-angle lens will capture more of the night sky and maximize your chances of capturing a meteor.
Tripod: Meteor shower photography requires long exposures, and keeping your camera steady is crucial for a clear shot. A tripod can help reduce camera shake for a sharper result.
Shutter Release Cable or Intervalometer: These tools will allow you to take repeated long exposures automatically, eliminating vibrations from pressing the shutter button.
Headlamp: Since you’re shooting in the dark, you’ll need a light source to adjust your gear and change the camera settings, preferably a headlamp with a red light.
Memory Cards: To avoid running out of memory space in the middle of your shooting session, bring memory cards with a large storage capacity and high transfer rate.
Self-Care Supplies: Warm clothing, a hot drink, a deck chair, and maybe even a sleeping bag can keep you warm and comfy during a long, cold night of stargazing.
3. Set Up and Aim the Camera
Arnas Goldberg, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Once you get to your shooting location, set up your tripod on a solid surface, mount your camera and lens, plug in your intervalometer, and ensure everything is stable.
Remember, the Perseid meteor shower will seem to come from the Perseus constellation in the northern sky. You can use a stargazing app to help you find the precise location of its radiant. This will help you choose your exact shooting spot and adjust your camera framing.
The further away a meteor appears from the radiant, the longer its tail can be. So, if you want to capture longer meteor tails, frame a part of the sky away from the radiant.
If you want to create an image where all meteors appear to converge in one spot, include the radiant in the frame.
Don’t forget your foreground! Adding a meaningful foreground with an interesting subject to an already magnificent sky can take your image from good to great.
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4. Adjust Your Camera Settings
Manually focus your lens by setting it to infinity, choosing an aperture that’s as wide as possible (around f/2.8 or f/4), and setting a high ISO of 1,600, 3,200, or higher, whichever works for getting the right exposure. Set your shutter speed or exposure time between 10–25 seconds.
If you want to avoid capturing apparent star movement, take note of the 500 rule. Use the number 500 and divide it by the length of your lens in millimeters. The number you get is the amount of time in seconds you can keep your shutter open without seeing star trails.
5. Take Your Test Shot and Successive Shots
Now for the fun part: taking test shots! Check if the stars and night sky are clear and correctly focused and if everything is exposed well. If you’re not happy with the results, you can always make adjustments to your camera settings and retake them.
Experiment until you get satisfying results, and once you’re happy, you can go ahead and take successive shots.
Keep an eye on your battery level and remaining storage, and whether any dew has built up on your lens.
Most importantly, look up and witness the wonderful show!
With time, patience, and the right camera settings, you’ll go home with breathtaking photographs of the Perseid meteor shower to mark this extraordinary celestial event.
