By Chris King • Updated: 10 Aug 2022 • 2:04
Image of the Perseids as previously seen from Calar Alto. Credit: Alicia Lozano
August is a special month for lovers of astronomy. Coinciding with the last supermoon of the year, this week the sky will light up with the spectacular Perseids or Tears of San Lorenzo. As reported by NASA on Tuesday, August 9, this is one of the most incredible showers of shooting stars that occur each year in the lunar calendar.
Because they always take place in summer, a season in which atmospheric conditions are normally favourable for astronomical observation, the Perseids are a firm favourite among experienced stargazers.
✨ Spot two planets in the morning sky, gawk at the Perseids meteor shower, and get down with the Cygnus (constellation). Here’s what else is up in the night sky this August: https://t.co/P2s1urpEX6 pic.twitter.com/x5Xr19wNwa — NASA (@NASA) July 29, 2022
✨ Spot two planets in the morning sky, gawk at the Perseids meteor shower, and get down with the Cygnus (constellation). Here’s what else is up in the night sky this August: https://t.co/P2s1urpEX6 pic.twitter.com/x5Xr19wNwa
— NASA (@NASA) July 29, 2022
This year, they coincide with the Sturgeon Full Moon. According to NASA: “This year’s Perseid peak will see the worst possible circumstances for observers. The Moon is much brighter than anything else in the night sky, and it will wipe out all but the brightest Perseids as they pass through our atmosphere and burn up high”.
NASA explains that this star show will be visible until August 24, but, they can be best observed in the sky over Malaga province on August 11 and 12. They will be quite visible again from August 12 to 13. During these days, between 80 and 200 shooting stars should be visible per hour.
As pointed out by NASA, before and after these dates, it will be still possible to observe the meteor shower, although with less intensity. NASA also assures that: “the best time to see the Perseids is during the hours before dawn”, although they can also be seen at dusk, starting at 10pm.
Like all astronomical phenomena, they can be observed from a sufficiently dark place, with little light pollution.
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Originally from Wales, Chris spent years on the Costa del Sol before moving to the Algarve where he is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com
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