Sternschnuppen-alarm: The Perseids illuminate the night sky!

Sternschnuppen-alarm: The Perseids illuminate the night sky!

In the night from August 13, 2025, the Perseid meteor current will reach its maximum and offer many shooting stars for interested parties. Despite the challenge of an almost full moon, which is illuminated over 80%, bright shooting stars and occasionally fire balls will be visible that night. This impressive natural phenomenon attracts numerous spectators every year who can enjoy the Perseids in the summer months, which are among the best -known meteor currents. In optimal conditions, even up to 100 meters per hour can be observed, although weaker specimens may not be noticed by the moonlight vienna.at.

The most ideal visual conditions for the meteor current set up in the early morning when the constellation Perseus is high in the sky. In order to maximize the experience, observers should visit a dark area away from urban light and lie flat on the back to watch the sky over a long period of time. A habituation time of the eyes of about 20 minutes to the dark also contributes to the visibility of the meteors. In addition, it is advisable to shield the moonlight through buildings, trees or mountains to further improve the view.

origin of the meteor current

The origin of the Perseids lies in the comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862 regardless of Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle. This comet has a diameter of 26 kilometers and needs 133 years to circle the sun. His last approach to the sun took place in 1992, the next one is expected in 2125. The particles, which are responsible for the meteors, come from the rubble of the comet, which penetrate the earth's atmosphere at a speed of about 59 km/s, explains nasa.

meteor flows generally arise from dust particles that arise when the comets are dissolved. When the earth crosses the comet's dust trail during its orbit, there is collisions with the atmosphere that create the spectacular strips of light in the sky. This shows that meteor flows return annually when the earth flies through the area of the material. The Perseiden-meteor shower works according to this principle and is a fascinating example of the interaction of the earth with the remaining comets, it describes it Wikipedia.

observation tips

There are some useful tips for observing the Perseids: Find a dark place away from the urban light. Lie flat on your back and watch over a longer period of time. Give your eyes the time to get used to the darkness and try to watch in the early morning before dusk. Prepare to the fact that you can still see meteors after the climax of the meteor current between 16 and 26 August, since the conditions will then get better because of the decreasing moon.

The Perseiden, whose name is derived from the "Laurentius tears", refer to the commemoration day on August 10th. The meteor current not only promises to become an unforgettable spectacle, but also an opportunity to learn more about the fascinating phenomena of the universe.