Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, a frequent refuge for stargazers fleeing the intense lights of California cities, is getting ready for a surge in guests through the Perseid meteor bathe this month.
The Perseid meteor bathe is seen every year in August when Earth ventures by way of trails of particles left behind by the traditional comet Swift-Tuttle. Spectators often flock to nationwide parks corresponding to Joshua Tree and different out of doors areas to catch a glimpse of the celestial phenomenon.
And this 12 months isn’t any exception. Park officers are anticipating heavy site visitors heading into Joshua Tree on Aug. 10 and 11.
“As a result of park’s proximity to main cities, site visitors will be heavy and may trigger delays of as much as a number of hours,” officers wrote in a information launch this week.
Through the Perseid meteor bathe final 12 months, 1000’s of tourists arrived at Joshua Tree on the identical evening with automobiles lined up for miles on Freeway 62. The aurora borealis sighting in March created related heavy site visitors, based on park officers.
“We had been anticipating some crowds, however we weren’t anticipating the quantity that determined to return to the realm” in 2023, stated park spokesperson Meg Rockwell.
The park may have extra workers on web site through the meteor bathe, she stated.
Mom Nature placed on a very spectacular present final 12 months when the height of the Perseid meteor bathe fell on a Saturday with a brand new moon. The height is anticipated to land this month on a Monday evening with a primary quarter moon, that means the showers may not be fairly as seen.
Officers counsel guests intent on experiencing the meteor bathe on the nationwide park purchase entrance passes prematurely, which might reduce delays. Spectators also needs to contemplate downloading the park’s app to make use of offline whereas visiting as cell service will be spotty, officers stated.
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is considered one of 5 places in California that’s a licensed darkish evening sky space by way of DarkSky Worldwide, a nonprofit that goals to guard communities and wildlife from mild air pollution.
Julian, Borrego Springs, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Loss of life Valley Nationwide Park are additionally on the group’s listing of accredited darkish evening sky areas.
“There’s solely a lot house in our not-so-little park,” Rockwell stated.
