Shooting stars of the Perseids. Image AS / DHoffmannPhotography
The shooting stars of the Perseids are associated with summer vacation. Many people are free, go to bed later and thus have the opportunity to take a look at the night sky. That is why this meteor shower is so popular. In this article you can read whether the conditions are favorable for making wishes this year.
After the Boötids in the early days of this year, the number of shooting stars was scarce. Several swarms were visible, but the number of shooting stars per hour was relatively small. That changes with the Perseids. During the peak night, from Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 August, 38 to 50 shooting stars per hour can be seen from the Perseids. The same number of shooting stars can also be seen in the night of August 13 to 14. Together with a few other shooting stars, the total then comes to 48 to 65 meters per hour.
Why a fairly favorable star shower this year?
Last year, the Perseids were poorly visible due to the full moon during the peak night. This year, the moon is only 10% illuminated and rises at 2:25 a.m. Under very favorable conditions, the Perseids can produce about 85 shooting stars per hour at peak night. This year there are slightly fewer because the maximum is Sunday August 13 during the day at 2 p.m. Then it is light and no shooting star can be seen. Nevertheless, this year 38 to 50 can be seen per hour and the situation is quite favorable.
Best viewing moment
The best viewing time, with the most shooting stars per hour, is on Sunday, August 13 at 4:00 am. There are then about 44 per hour. Then look diagonally up to the east to northeast, then you have the best chance of seeing a shooting star. You will then see a fast, clear and afterglow trail. The fall speed is very high: almost 214,000 km/h. Around 5:50 pm it starts to get dark and at 6:26 am the sun rises.
If you don’t have the opportunity to watch next weekend, you also have chances to see the shooting stars three days before the peak night and three days after. In the night leading up to Thursday, August 10, six of the Perseids may already be visible, and twelve will be visible the following night. In all cases, 4:00 am is the best viewing time.
In the night of August 10 to 11 shooting stars of the Eridanids are also visible, but this swarm is not very favorable for us with only one shooting star per hour. The viewing direction is then to the southeast.
Shooting Stars Perseids. Photo: Adobe Stock / Jess Ivanova.
Also check out our tips for optimal viewing of shooting stars.
It is of course important that there are no clouds during the best viewing moment. The first days will still be very changeable summer weather with often clouds, but from Thursday 10 August the chances of precipitation will decrease sharply and broad clearances can also be expected. There is a good chance that you will be able to spot the shooting stars of the Perseids from Thursday. Of course it remains to be seen how it will turn out exactly, but we will inform you about that again later in the week. Until then, you can follow the forecast via the most comprehensive weather forecast.
2023-08-06 05:36:23
#Perseids #coming
