Particularly popular in the northern hemisphere, the Perseids can be easily observed on summer nights. The apogee of this meteor shower will take place at the beginning of August, but it is already possible to take advantage of the phenomenon, which is not the only one in progress.
In parallel, two other rains take place over the same period. Another major shower is the Southern Delta Aquariids, so the peak is forecast for July 29-30. If it is preferable to be south of the equator to observe it, the phase of the moon (almost invisible on these nights) will however offer ideal conditions.
Added to this are the moderately strong Alpha Capricornids, which will reach their peak from July 30 to the early morning of the 31st. With this accumulation of phenomena, it is already possible to observe 1 to 2 shooting stars per hour. At the end of July, this hourly rate might reach almost 24 per hour (under the right conditions).
The Main Event, August 11-12
It is during the nights of August 11 and 12 that shooting star enthusiasts will be able to take advantage of the apogee of the Perseids with an estimate by the American Meteor Society of around one hundred possible observations per hour.
Only downside, the Moon will be almost full. This should not prevent observations, but it will be necessary to go to an open place and especially far from urban light pollution.
Some practical advice
In order to make the most of the experience, here are some practical tips:
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it takes at least 15 minutes for your eyes to get used to the dark;
- plan 1 to 2 hours of observation (the activity can be up and down);
- stay away from any form of light pollution as much as possible;
- turn your back on the rising Moon (or sit near a physical screen like a wall or a tall tree);
- provide a comfortable seat, a blanket and a snack (summer nights can be chilly).
Article CNET.com adapted by CNETFrance
