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The Perseids reach their peak, so you have the best chance of seeing as many shooting stars as possible around August 12th.
Update from August 13, 10:21 a.m.: They had been hinted at – and nature delivered. After the Perseids were overcast in many places last year, the tropical weather kept its promise and brought clear skies over Germany last night.
This meant that there were not only numerous shooting stars from the meteor shower to marvel at, but with a bit of luck a double celestial spectacle. The extremely rare northern lights also appeared boldly over Germany during the night from Monday (12 August) to Tuesday.
An extremely unusual image: shooting stars shoot past in front of a brightly lit sky. This year, the peak of the Perseids and a particularly strong sandstorm coincided. As a result, both meteors and the northern lights could be seen over Germany. © Matthias Balk/dpa
Up to 30 shooting stars could be observed under perfect conditions during the Perseid peak on Monday night. On average, a meteor shower appeared every two minutes, as researcher Carolin Liefke from the House of Astronomy told IPPEN.MEDIA said.
Anyone who still has wishes to make of the universe should note that sightings are still possible in the coming nights. A few dozen shooting stars could fly across the sky on Wednesday night, as Marco Ludwig from the Neumünster Observatory told NDR.
Meteor shower over Germany: Expert reveals how best to observe the Perseid peak
First report from August 12, 4:53 p.m.: Frankfurt – The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower of the year, which is because they fall in August every year and can be observed in good summer weather. In 2024, however, the meteor shower maximum is unfavorable for observers in Europe: It falls in the afternoon and evening hours of August 12th – when the sky is definitely still too bright to see meteors. This raises the question of when the Perseids can best be observed in 2024.
The expert Uwe Pilz from the Association of Star Friends (VdS) advises fr.de von IPPEN.MEDIA for observation “during the second half of the night.” There is a reason for this: “The moon does not set until around 11 p.m.,” says Pilz. “The radiant, i.e. the place from which the Perseids come, is at its highest at the end of the night.”
Observe the Perseids today: How to see 20 to 30 shooting stars per hour
In general, it is advisable to look for shooting stars as close to the Perseid maximum as possible. In 2024, this would be the night of August 12-13 and the early morning of August 13. The later in the night you look up at the sky, the better the chances of seeing lots of shooting stars. In theory, up to 100 shooting stars per hour are possible during the Perseid maximum.
However, this value assumes perfect observation conditions, which are only achieved very rarely. Star expert Pilz therefore gives a more realistic estimate: “From a dark location, you can expect 20 to 30 meteors per hour.” This is also a good value – after all, it means that you would see a shooting star flash across the sky every two to three minutes.
Time for wishes: Shooting stars fly across the night sky
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Shooting star night in August: Observe the Perseids today
But what is the best way to observe shooting stars? Basically, you should look for an observation spot for a “shooting star night” that must meet two conditions: the sky should be as dark as possible, and you should also have a good all-round view of the sky. Shooting stars can appear anywhere in the dark sky. If you then follow their luminous trail back, they appear to be emanating from the constellation Perseus – the radiant.
Perseid meteors fly across the sky. (Archive image) © IMAGO/Jiang Hongjing
This constellation rises in the northeast at sunset and moves higher in the sky throughout the night, reaching its highest visible position in the sky before dawn. However, the Perseids can be seen across the entire sky – you don’t have to find the constellation in the sky to spot shooting stars.
Observation tips for the night of shooting stars: dark adaptation of the eyes
To last longer while hunting for shooting stars, it is advisable to adopt a comfortable position – for example on a deck chair or a blanket, as this will give you a good view of the sky. Warm clothing and warm drinks are also advisable – even the warmest summer days can be followed by cool summer nights.
If you are serious about looking for shooting stars, you should also have a lot of patience. You need patience to see shooting stars. You should also not forget that the human eye needs to get used to the darkness. After about 20 minutes, the dark adaptation is complete and the eye can see more – but you should then avoid blinding it and avoid using a bright cell phone or camera display. Then nothing will stand in the way of a night of shooting stars. (tab)
