Meteor shower over Europe – How to make a wish on a shooting star
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Each year in July and August, Earth passes through Comet Swift-Tuttle, resulting in the Perseid meteor shower, the most popular among people to watch. This year the shower will reach its peak on August 12-13. People will be able to see about 10-15 shooting stars an hour. Here are some tips on when and where to go star watching.
Earth passes through Comet Swift-Tuttle around the end of July to the end of August every year, this year from July 17-August 26. During this time, spectators can expect to see shooting stars upon looking at the sky.
This year, during the peak of the shower (August 12-13) the moon will almost be at its fullest, which means people can expect to see around 10-15 shooting stars per hour, says Bill Cooke, NASA meteor expert. This may seem like a high number to those not experienced in star watching. But when there is no – nearly – full moon up to over 150 stars can be seen. Last year the peak was at the same time of year as this year, and around 60-70 stars could be spotted each hour.
Perseid meteoroids are very fast, going about 60 kilometres per second. Their size can vary from between a grain of sand to a pea or a marble, says space.com.
The meteors will be able to see from the Northern Hemisphere as well as down to the mid-southern latitudes.
The ideal star-watching location
The best places to try catching shooting stars are dark locations. If you have a backyard which is not invaded by the light of street lights, great! Just grab a blanket and two, lay down – with your family or friends – and wait for the meteors. Maybe even make a wish. And remember to be patient.
If you do not have a backyard, try going to a park with limited streetlights, or maybe even go to the field with friends. The view will surely be amazing from there, with no other sources of light to ruin it.
