Skywatchers in Cyprus can look forward to a special natural spectacle in the coming week. The annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak in the night from Wednesday to Thursday and promises particularly good observation conditions this year.

The reason for this is the almost simultaneous new moon. Since the moon emits hardly any light, the night sky remains exceptionally dark. As a result, significantly more shooting stars are visible to the naked eye than in years with bright moonlight.

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What are the Perseids?

The so-called Perseids are among the best-known and most popular meteor showers of the year. Contrary to the frequently used term "shooting stars", these are not stars.

The glowing trails are created by tiny dust and rock particles that come from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Every year, the Earth passes through this particle cloud. When entering the Earth's atmosphere, the particles burn up at a speed of around 59 kilometres per second and produce the bright streaks of light in the sky.

When is the best time to observe?

Although the meteor shower has been active since mid-July and will remain visible until 24 August, the highest activity is expected in the night from Wednesday to Thursday.

Astronomy experts recommend observing the sky after midnight. Then the constellation Perseus – after which the meteor shower is named – is higher in the sky, which increases the chances of seeing a particularly large number of shooting stars.

Where is the best place to observe the Perseids?

The best conditions are offered by places far away from cities and artificial light sources. If you choose a place that is as dark as possible in the countryside or in the mountains, you have the greatest chance of experiencing the celestial spectacle in all its glory.

A natural spectacle for the whole family

Since neither telescope nor binoculars are required for observation, the Perseids are ideal for a spontaneous excursion under the starry sky. With a little patience and a clear sky, numerous shooting stars can be observed within an hour.

So if you are in Cyprus next week, you should not miss this special celestial event.

Author: MF Radio Redaktion
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(Cover image was created using Hybrid)