Perseid approach: up to 100 shooting stars per hour next weekend

Perseid approach: up to 100 shooting stars per hour next weekend

Perseiden: shooting stars in August

Night owls! If you take a look at the sky next weekend, you can watch up to 100 shooting stars per hour at peak times. As every year in August, the so -called Perseids draw their lanes and inspire hobby astronomers, photographers and shooting star hunters.

High time to create a small supply of wishes. We'll tell you when you should look at the sky and in which direction you have to look - even with directions.

Where can you find the Perseids in the night sky?

The apparent radiation point of the meteor showers (also referred to in technical language as a radiant) is the constellation Perseus, where the name also derives from Perseid. The constellation can be found in the night sky in the southeast.

Perseus is in the immediate vicinity of the Kassiopeia constellation. If you can do little with these constellations, the following direction could be helpful for you.

The directions to the Perseiden

Stefan Gotthold from the Planetarium Berlin Foundation, however, explicitly points out that the Perseids not only appear in the vicinity of the constellation Perseus. "They fly over the entire night sky," the head of the Archenhold Sternenwort told Tagesspiegel when asked. His advice: shooting star hunters should snap a blanket and keep an eye on the entire firmament lying on the back. The probability is higher if you do not keep the wishes to yourself.

The expert also has a special tip for the observation: "What wish you!" - and, contrary to the popular opinion, reveal as many people as possible. "The probability is higher if you do not keep your wishes to yourself," says the education team boss of the planetarium. For example, wishes such as the delicious ice cream could be realized much better. You are happy to follow such recommendations - the expert must finally know.

When are the Perseids to be seen best?

In the night from August 12th to August 13, most shooting stars should fall. The best observation time is according to the experts from the Planetarium Foundation Berlin between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. - provided the weather plays along. In the days before and afterwards, around 50 shooting stars can still be seen in the sky until August 24th.

The entire activity period of the Perseids extends from July 17th to August 24th, so numerous shooting stars can also be observed before and after the maximum on August 13th.

The reason for the annual Perseid shower is a comet called Swift-Tuttle (formerly 109p/Swift-Tuttle). Every year in August, the earth crosses part of its comet tail. As soon as our planet passes this cloud from comet base particles, the particles penetrate our earth's atmosphere and cause the spectacular meteor shower.

Where can you best observe the Perseids?

meteor showers can best be observed in low -light and dark regions. Sternbußenjäger should therefore consider a trip to the thin -populated surrounding area. Incidentally, one of the darkest places in all of Germany is said to be in western Brandenburg.

light pollution difficult

recent results of the Potsdam research project "Globe at Night" show that the light emissions are progressing much faster in this country than previously assumed. A child who is now born in a region in which a good 250 stars are still visible in the sky will only be able to admire 100 stars under the current conditions on his 18th birthday, reports the specialist magazine "Spectrum of Science". A tip for shooting star hunters: In which regions most of the light pollution is currently being recorded, you can find out the website lightpollutionmap.info.

Where can you watch the Perseids in Berlin?

Berlin is one of the regions that are particularly affected by light pollution. The many street lamps, outdoor advertising or facades