SHOOTING STARS. The Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak of activity in the coming days. Here is all the information so you don’t miss this exceptional spectacle that will take place above our heads.
Since mid-July, shooting stars have been streaking the sky night after night to the delight of astronomy enthusiasts. This splendid phenomenon will last until the end of August but will peak in intensity in a few days, promising an unforgettable evening for the curious who will look up at the sky that evening. To not miss this spectacle, go on the night of August 11 to 12. The opportunity to make a multitude of wishes as long as the weather is conducive.
This year, thanks to a Moon particularly discreet, the conditions are right for the Perseids to offer us a dazzling spectacle with up to 110 shooting stars per hour at the peak of intensity. Although shooting stars are visible throughout the sky, to maximize your chances of seeing them, you just need to look towards the northeast and show a little patience. Hot drink, deckchair, blanket and sky map, an unforgettable evening awaits you!
The Perseids are a meteor shower that occurs every year in August. They are caused by the comet 109P/Swift Tuttle whose debris cloud our planet crosses at this time of year. The name given to the Perseids comes from the constellation of Perseus where the starting point of the shooting stars is located. Theoretically, between 70 and 110 shooting stars occur per minute at the peak intensity of the Perseids. Depending on weather conditions, light pollution and the brightness of the shooting stars, it is unfortunately not possible to see them all. But with a little patience, you should still attend a show and see many shooting stars streaking the sky.
You can see shooting stars from sunset onwards. Sun but to admire a maximum of shooting stars, you will have to wait until the Moon has passed behind the horizon to enjoy a very dark sky. Fortunately, the latter will set early in the night, around midnight at the peak. From then on, you will have until sunrise to enjoy the show whose light will be perceptible between 5am and 6am. This will therefore give you several hours to look up at the sky and multiply your wishes!
The Perseids extend over several weeks of the summer but the phenomenon becomes particularly intense during a night during which the shooting stars become very numerous for a few hours. This year, the peak will take place on the night of August 11 to 12 and will be easily visible thanks to optimal observation conditions. It is therefore the celestial event not to be missed for astronomy lovers!
The Perseid meteor shower is visible throughout France, allowing everyone to enjoy it. However, to see as many meteors as possible, it is strongly recommended to move away from urban areas where the lights prevent you from enjoying the darkness of the sky. The best spots for observing the Perseids are therefore the countryside far from built-up areas. By the sea or in the mountains, you will also benefit from good darkness to distinguish the shooting stars crossing the black sky, provided you stay away from any light pollution.
Shooting stars can be observed by anyone without any equipment, provided that the weather is good and there are no clouds to disturb the party. Just look at the sky and wait a little. With a bit of luck, you should see several in the same evening. Ideally, bring a hot drink to stay outside without getting cold and make yourself comfortable. Shooting stars generally leave a luminous trail that makes them easy to spot.
To identify the constellation Perseus, where the Perseids come from, you can get a sky map or use a mobile application like Sky Tonight, available on Google Play or on theApp Store. This application will allow you to quickly find the area of the sky to observe so as not to miss the show.