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Updated: January 15, 2023

Stargazing on Cape Cod
Meteor Showers, Super Moons & More

Colorful Meteor Trail in the Clear Night Sky

Read on to find out about: 

• Meteor Showers - the best times to look for shooting stars, and tips for best places to watch and what to bring with you.
  
  
• Supermoons and a Blue Moon - when to see them in 2023
  
  
• International Space Station - how to see the ISS with the naked eye.
  
  
• "Star Parties" - where to meet up with amateur astronomers to see the heavens through a telescope.
  

Meteor Showers in 2023

January 4, 2023 - The Quadrantids

Yes, this is a chilly one! So bundle up and grab a thermos of hot cocoa to take with you if you're going out on meteor watch.

The moon will be full, hindering our viewing somewhat. But if Mom Nature gives us a cloudless night, we still might be able to see a few big, bright fireballs streaking across the sky.

• Best Viewing Time: From about 2 a.m. to just before dawn on January 4th
  
  
• Average Rate in Dark Skies: 40+ meteors per hour
  

April 22-23, 2023 - The Lyrids

The Lyrids are somewhat unpredictable. Normally, the Lyrid meteor showers only produce a few visible meteors per hour. But on a good year, the rate might rise to 100+ per hour.

For this year's sky show, the crescent moon will only pose a little interference. If you can roust yourself from bed before daybreak, head out for excellent viewing in a (hopefully!) cloud-free sky.

• Best Viewing Time: The hours just before dawn on April 23rd
  
  
• Average Rate in Dark Skies: 10-20 per hour
  
  

August 12-13, 2023 - The Perseids

This is one of the best known, most-watched meteor showers of all ... and my personal favorite for a couple reasons.

First, the Persieds reliably produce some awesome meteor sightings year after year.

Second, and maybe most importantly - it's warm here in August. It's a wonderful time to be outdoors gazing up at the stars!

On peak night for the Perseids in 2023, the moon won't be any problem at all. Yay!

• Best Viewing Time: From around 10 p.m. on Aug. 12th into the pre-dawn hours of Aug. 13th
  
  
• Average Rate in Dark Skies: 80+ per hour
  

October 8-9, 2023 - The Draconids

The Draconids (a/k/a "Giacobinids") meteor shower is usually a pretty sparse event with only a few sightings each hour. But on rare occasion, it produces a magnificent display.

The Draconids are mostly seen in the evening hours shortly after dark, so there's no need to get up in the middle of the night to see them. The quarter moon will obscure the more faint meteors this year. But who knows, we might see some good ones anyway!  

• Best Viewing Times: Nightfall into early evening
  
  
• Average Rate in Dark Skies: Usually just a few per hour, but on an exceptional year it could be hundreds per hour.
  

October 21-22, 2023 - The Orionids

With only a few sightings an hour, this is one of the annual sky events that I don't bother setting my alarm clock for.

This year, the moon will be in its first quarter phase and will set before midnight.  So if you're going to be awake before dawn anyway, it can't hurt to take a peek outside. Who knows? You might be lucky enough to see an Orionid fireball or two. 

• Best Viewing Time: The hours just before dawn on October 22nd
  
  
• Average Rate in Dark Skies: 10-20 per hour
  

November 17-18, 2023 - The Leonids

In 2001 the Leonids produced the most breathtaking display I've ever seen!

At one point during the night, almost everyone in our neighborhood was on the beach, braving unseasonably cold conditions, watching hundreds of shooting stars flashing through the sky.

That's a rare occurrence, though. The Leonids usually put on a much more subdued performance.  

Fortunately, in 2023 the moon will be no hindrance at all to our viewing ability. If you're an early riser, take a  pre-dawn peek for some breathtaking meteors.

• Best Viewing Times: Pre-dawn on November 18th
  
  
• Average Rate in Dark Skies: 10-20 per hour
  
  

December 13-14, 2023 - The Geminids

This is usually one of the best meteor showers of the year with the brightest Geminids sometimes showing colors of blue, yellow or green.

This year the moon will be nearly new, leaving us with nice dark skies for the Geminids. If you're outdoors on the night of December 13-14 (especially in the pre-dawn hours), it's definitely worth looking to the sky!  

• Best Viewing Time: Late night on December 13th to pre-dawn on Dec. 14
  
  
• Average Rate in Dark Skies: 75-100+ per hour
  

Where to Watch Meteor Showers on Cape Cod

The best viewing spot for meteor showers is as far away from bright lights as you can get.

On Cape Cod, that means almost anywhere is good ... except the more commercial areas of Falmouth, Mashpee, Hyannis, Orleans and Provincetown

My recommendation? Scout out a few potential viewing locations the night before the shower so you'll know where it's darkest.

Meteor Watching at the Beach: What To Bring

Here's my short list of "must-have" items:

• Warm clothes. It gets chilly at night when you're near the water, even in the middle of summer.
  
  
• A beach blanket, inflatable raft or air mattress. For the most comfortable viewing, you'll want to lie flat on your back -- or as stretched out as possible. (Ignore this advice at your own risk. Many a stiff neck has come from watching the sky while standing or sitting upright, head tilted back. I've learned this lesson the hard way.)
  
  
• A flashlight. If you've picked the right place, you'll be totally in the dark until your eyes adjust. Bring a flashlight - with fully charged batteries - so you can see where you're going.
  
  
• Bug repellant. In late-spring, summer and early fall, the evening hours can be a little "buggy". So don't forget your bug repellant. (Here's what I use.) Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
  
  
• Snacks and drinks. No, not alcoholic beverages. Those aren't allowed on public beaches ... and it's against the law to drink and drive, anyway. But do bring some snacks and other beverages. And please, dispose of your trash properly. Help us keep our Cape Cod beaches beautiful!
  

"Super Moons" in 2023

When the moon is full and at perigee (its closest point to the earth), that's a super moon.

What's so "super" about it?

When the moon is high in the sky, it shines much more brightly than a normal full moon.

Super Moon Over Seagull Beach a Few Hours After Sunset
(Moonlight so bright I could see colors on the beach!)

And when it's near the horizon, the moon appears gigantic!

Super Moon Setting On Nantucket Sound Just Before Dawn
(All I can say is, "Breathtaking!")

There will be four super moons this year:

• July 3, 2023
  
  
• August 1, 2023
  
  
• August 31, 2023 (This one is called a "Blue Moon" because it's the second full moon within the same month.)
  
  
• September 29, 2023
  

"Star Parties" on Cape Cod

Throughout the year, local astronomy groups host "Star Parties" in several locations on Cape Cod.

These friendly, knowledgeable folks set up their telescopes and invite visitors to gaze through the lens. They're happy to share their wealth of knowledge about the stars, the planets, and pretty much anything else you'd like to know about the night sky.

The Star Parties are open to the public and free to attend.

Werner Schmidt Observatory

Cape Cod Astronomical Society Star Parties

Cape Cod Astronomical Society hosts their events at Dennis-Yarmouth High School in South Yarmouth, home of the Werner Schmidt Observatory.

For details and schedule, visit Cape Cod Astronomical Society's website.

Harwich Observatory Star Parties

Monomoy Regional School District's star parties are held at  Harwich Elementary School's observatory.

These gatherings are normally put on hold during the winter months, resuming sometime in March.

Check the Harwich Observatory website for details and schedule.

Osterville Village Library Star Parties

Osterville Village Library also holds Star Parties every now and then.

OVL's astronomy program's experienced guides host these early-evening meet-ups at Dowses Beach on the shores of Nantucket Sound.

See OVL's website to find out about upcoming star parties.

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