From S. Mpls where should I go to see the Meteor showers.

[annm4peace]

Perseid Meteor Shower: August's 'Fireball Champion' Should Dazzle Stargazers

http://www.space.com/22245-perseid-meteor-shower-fireball-champion.html

I would like to drive out to see the meteor showers but don't want to stay the night to do it.

If I live in S Mpls..where should I drive and go that might be 20-30 miles away ? and dark enough to see the stars.

Saturday night would be out since I'll be at the Irish Fair in St Paul

[sarisataka]

1. Opposite end of the metro from me

but IIRC, around East Union or south of Shakopee should get you clear of the city lights

[annm4peace]

3. thanks

I should say in SE minneapolis. Near lake nokomis
not sure which roads to take .. I get lost in eagan area.

any suggestions on the east side of metro?

[sarisataka]

4. I like Lake Elmo Park Reserve

easy to get to, head east on 94, exit on Woodbury Dr and go north just a couple miles. You won't be alone, a nice group turns out for the showers.
http://www.co.washington.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=502

[annm4peace]

5. I went around 10:00pm after the Irish Fair

It was nice and dark but the Reserve was closed.. they had the block aids up. I did park on the shoulder and had the car lights off.. no one else was out there.. we stayed for about 15min then my companion wanted to go home.

I guess I'll have to try it again next year.

[sarisataka]

6. That's too bad

I really liked that spot

I'm house sitting in Princeton this week so it is easy to get to dark areas. So far it has been relatively disappointing. Maybe tonight we will catch some good ones.

[question everything]

7. It has passed its peak

We went to Baylor Park in Carver County, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Many clouds. Only on Sunday, after midnight, the clouds finally parted and we could catch some of them. What was amazing to me was how clear the skies were.

By the time we left, around 1:00 am, the fog rolled in, at least on the roads.

[marzipanni]

2. Here's a light pollution map for your area.

Maybe you could ask an astronomy group in your area where they go to view stars and meteor showers.

http://www.mnastro.org/onan/lpintro.htm