Look up at the starry sky, dream and wish for something beautiful. On the nights of August 12th and 13th, our sky offers a very special spectacle: the Perseids make their annual appearance. The meteor shower reaches its peak on Monday and Tuesday nights. According to the Max Planck Society, under good conditions, you can then spot a meteor every two or three minutes.
BILD explains the beautiful celestial spectacle.
What is behind the Perseids?
The Perseids originate from the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle and have been observed for around two millennia. The first reports of the shooting stars come from China.
But it was not until the 19th century that the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli recognized the cosmic origin of shooting stars. They come from wandering celestial bodies.
Comets like 109P/Swift-Tuttle are usually located far out in the solar system and consist of a deep-frozen core of ice and dust several kilometers across. Occasionally they enter the interior of the solar system and can develop tails of gas and dust. If the Earth crosses the comet's orbit, it is exposed to a bombardment of crumbs that break off from the comet.
The best time to observe the Perseids is the nights of August 12 and 13, around 2:30 a.m.
If such a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of up to 260,000 kilometers per hour, the resulting friction often creates a plasma channel: a meteor flashes.
A clear view of the sky and a place without disturbing scattered light are the most important prerequisites for meteor hunting, writes the Max Planck SocietyThe naked eye is enough to observe. We also recommend warm clothing and a sleeping mat or lounger so that you can look up for a longer period of time in as relaxed a manner as possible.
Attention: The Perseids always have particularly bright shining specimens, so-called fireballs.
And is there a clear and cloudless view?
Dipl. Meteorologist Dominik Jung (wetter.net) to IMAGE: “The chances of an unobstructed view of the Perseids are actually good this time at the beginning of the week. It should remain beautiful and cloudless on both nights.”
And don’t forget: come up with a few wishes to match the spectacle!