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Best places to view Perseid meteor shower's peak in North Texas and beyond

The Perseid meteor shower (seen here in Japan) will be at its peak August 12-13, 2023.

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Meteor showers are some of the most beautiful performances Mother Nature can produce, and the grandest show of 2023 is coming up: the Perseid meteor shower, the biggest meteor shower of the year, will be at its most visible state the night of Saturday, August 12 until the early morning of Sunday, August 13.

According to space.com, circumstances will be nearly ideal for watching the shooting stars dance their way across the dark skies. Not only will Earth be positioned in the densest part of the Perseid stream, but the moon will barely be visible, creating an even darker backdrop.

Viewers will not need a telescope to see meteors that night, experts say, but the best viewing experiences will still be from a dark, unlit area of the city, or in a designated Dark Sky Community. Texas cities, towns, parks, and sanctuaries that are part of the International Dark-Sky Association focus on night sky conservation while combatting the spread of light pollution.

Many Texas state parks will host stargazing activities for community members and astronomy enthusiasts at Perseid's peak. (Keep in mind that no matter where you view the night sky, it may take up to 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust.)

Here are the best cities, towns, and state parks around North Texas (and beyond) to watch the Perseid meteor shower's peak on August 12. Note that some events are subject to cancellation based on the weather and cloud cover.

North Texas

Lakewood Village
This small town on Lewisville Lake is seven miles from Little Elm, and was designated the 23rd International Dark Sky Community in September 2019 (and it's the only one in all of Dallas-Fort Worth). While their Facebook page doesn't say the town is hosting a watch party, that doesn't mean you can't park in an unobtrusive spot and watch the sky from the tailgate of your car.

Cooper Lake State Park
Cooper Lake State Park is an hour-and-a-half (about 90 miles) away from Dallas, and will be hosting several self-guided stargazing events, August 12-24. Visitors can meet at the South Sulphur Unit at 9 am to try and catch some shooting stars there, but they might have a better chance of catching a show starting from 8:30 pm at the Doctors Creek Unit. More information is on the Texas Parks and Wildlife event website.

Dinosaur Valley State Park
The best and most knowledgeable astronomers from the Fort Worth Astronomical Society will be joining Dinosaur Valley State Park for a "Star Party" in Glen Rose beginning at 9 pm on August 12. The society will provide their celestial knowledge as they examine the night sky. The park asks that guests bring only red lights to the event. More information about the party can be found on the Texas Parks and Wildlife event website.

Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway
While this isn't a specific stargazing event, you can still catch a view of the meteor shower while challenging what you know about Texas. Mineral Wells State Park's Jeopardy!-style Texas Trivia night falls on August 12 from 8:30-10 pm. Put your Texas nature and history knowledge to the test, and observe the shooting stars as your background. More information can be found on the Texas Parks and Wildlife event website.

Central Texas

Los Maples State Natural Area
This special "Maples and Meteors Sky Fest" is part of a 100-year celebration of Texas state parks in 2023. Visitors can learn about local wildlife and dark sky protection on August 12 from 6-9 pm, followed by a weather-dependent star-watching party until 10:30 pm. More information is on the Texas Parks and Wildlife event website.

Dark Sky Parks and Communities
There are several Dark Sky-certified parks that are perfect for stargazing in Central Texas, including Travis County Milton Ranch Park, Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site, Enchanted Rock Natural State Area, and South Llano River State Park.

Dark Sky Communities in Central Texas include Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg, Blanco, Wimberley, and Horseshoe Bay.

East Texas

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
On August 12 from 8:30-10 pm, visitors can participate in an evening of observation and stargazing using the park's special stargazing telescope. The on-site park ranger will provide red cellophane to protect attendees' night vision if they bring any flashlights. More information is on the Texas Parks and Wildlife event website.

West Texas

Lake Brownwood State Park
This West Texas "Star Party" runs from 8:30-10 pm on August 12, with plenty of telescopes to help visitors view the night sky. Volunteers will also teach about the constellations throughout the evening. The park asks that visitors do not bring any white lights, only red lights. Astronomy enthusiasts are more than welcome to bring their own telescope. More information is on the Texas Parks and Wildlife event website.

Abilene State Park
The Big Country Master Naturalists will join visitors at the park from 9-11 pm for a free night of stargazing. Much like similar watch parties on August 12, the park requests that only red lights be brought to the event so they do not interfere with guests' night vision. More information is on the Texas Parks and Wildlife event website.

University of Texas McDonald Observatory
The Fort Davis-based observatory hosts their family-friendly outdoor star parties on Saturday nights beginning at 9:30 pm, weather-permitting. The two-hour program includes a tour of the Helen S. Martin Star Amphitheater before embarking on a constellation tour led by visitor center staff. Then, guests will be taken to the Rebecca Gale Telescope Park to view the night sky through their telescopes. More information is available on their website.

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Heat Wave News

Dallas pet owners should take these steps with oncoming heat wave

SPCA

Keep your pets hydrated. Consider putting out a kiddie pool.

Dallas weather is about to take a serious turn, and the SPCA has valuable advice on what steps pet owners should take. It's easy to forget that animals get hit hard by the heat, and especially in Texas: A report by Veterinarians.org found that Texas was No. 1 on the list of states with heat-related pet deaths. Based on data they compiled from 2018-2022, Texa had 40 reported heat-related pet deaths — more than six times the national five-year average.

In a statement, SPCA of Texas Interim Chief Veterinarian Valarie Tynes, DVM, DACVB, DACAW reminds pet owners that their pets have very few ways to cool themselves down.

“As a veterinarian, I’ve seen far too many cases of dogs and cats suffering from heatstroke, often brought into the emergency room when it’s already too late," Tynes says. "Our pets have very limited ways to cool themselves down. They can sweat a small amount through their paw pads, but their main way to release excess heat is by panting. Panting helps pets cool off through the evaporation of moisture, but it only provides limited relief, especially during extreme temperatures."

Tynes says that, when the body can’t shed heat fast enough, serious internal damage begins to occur.

"The proteins and chemicals that keep the body functioning start to break down," she says. "I’ve seen heat affect the kidneys and brain—organs and processes that are incredibly sensitive to high temperatures."

Breed, overall health and environment all can influence how at-risk a pet is, but one thing is always true: prevention is critical. Please don’t underestimate how dangerous heat can be.

Tynes advises pet owners to keep pets in cool, shaded areas, provide plenty of fresh water, and avoid walks or outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day.

Here are some proactive measures to keep pets safe and comfortable during these sweltering days:

Keep your pets hydrated
Make sure your furry friends have access to fresh, cool water at all times. Consider placing multiple water bowls around your home and refill them regularly. If your pets must be outside during the day, make sure there are plenty of shady spaces throughout the day and several shaded, nontippable water bowls filled with ice water. Do not use metal bowls outside.

If possible, a small wading pool filled with cold ice water and placed in a shaded area outside is preferred. This not only allows pets to drink but also to cool off in the water when overheating.

Schedule exercise with your pets wisely on warm days
Give your pet plenty of water before and after walks or playtime. Be sure to avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day. Early mornings (before 10 a.m.) or late evenings (after 5 p.m.)—when temperatures are lower—are ideal for walks or playtime.

Hot pavement can burn paw pads, so opt for walking on grassy areas. Consider using paw wax or booties to shield sensitive paws from hot pavement, rocks or sand that can cause burns and blisters. If you cannot hold the back of your hand on the pavement for five to 10 seconds, the pavement is too hot for your pet.

Make sure your pets have plenty of shade
If your pet spends any time outside, be sure it has plenty of shade so he or she can get out of the sun. This is where the ground or grass will be coolest—under a tree, an umbrella, or a simple, open structure. Do not tie or restrain the pet so that it cannot move between shady spots as needed.

If it is really hot and humid, bring your pet indoors and into air-conditioned areas.

Never leave your pet in a locked car
No matter what, even if you think you will be away from the car for just a few minutes, do not leave your pet unattended in a parked car. The car can absorb enough energy within minutes to become a death mobile. A cracked window or two is not enough to prevent heatstroke when it’s hot, or even warm. It is also not enough to park in the shade on a hot day and leave all the windows and even sunroof open.

While weather in the 70s may seem harmless, a Stanford study showed that in just an hour, a car’s temperature rose to 116 degrees internally when left out in 72-degree heat. It is not recommended to leave the air conditioner running in a car for your pet. Oftentimes the air conditioner malfunctions, leading to overheating inside the vehicle.

Heatstroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect pets when they are exposed to high temperatures and excessive heat. Dogs and cats cannot regulate their body temperature as efficiently as humans, making them more susceptible to heatstroke. It can occur in as little as 10-15 minutes, especially in hot and humid environments or when an animal is left in a parked car.

Symptoms of heatstroke in pets include excessive panting, drooling, rapid breathing, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and collapse. It is crucial to act quickly if you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke. Move them to a cool and shaded area, offer fresh water, and use cool (not cold) water or damp towels to gradually lower their body temperature.

Then take the pet directly to an emergency veterinary clinic. Heat stroke can be fatal and can come on very quickly, so it’s best not to take any chances.

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