Astronomical Phenomenon: Peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower
Get ready for a celestial spectacle! The Perseid meteor shower is set to peak on the night from Tuesday, August 12, to Wednesday, August 13, 2025. This annual event promises a dazzling display of shooting stars, as Earth encounters the trail of dust particles from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.
The Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus, from which they appear to radiate. This hero of Greek mythology is associated with the constellation of the same name. The constellation Perseus will be better visible in the second half of the night, making it an ideal time to catch a glimpse of these fiery streaks.
The meteors in the Perseid shower travel at speeds of 30 to 35 kilometers per second, turning dust particles into brilliant trails of light as they vaporize upon entering the Earth's atmosphere. During the peak night, it's expected that between 60 to 100 meteors per hour will be visible, with some locations potentially witnessing even more.
However, conditions in Germany may be less than ideal due to the bright waning gibbous moon, which acts like natural light pollution and may obscure all but the brightest meteors. The moon will be 83% illuminated during the night of the meteor shower, making it a disturbing factor.
To maximise your chances of witnessing this celestial event, it's recommended to watch from dark locations away from city lights and to look especially during the early morning hours just before dawn, when the shower is most intense and the radiant point in the constellation Perseus is higher in the sky.
While the moon's position may not be favourable, the German Weather Service (DWD) predicts that it will remain dry everywhere during the night of the meteor shower. In the middle and south of Germany, there should only be scattered clouds, with the meteor shower visible in most regions except for areas north of Bremen to Berlin, where it will be more cloudy.
For those in Germany, the observatory in Saxon Rodewisch has stated that the moon's position during the night of the meteor shower is unfavourable. However, with patience and a little bit of luck, the Perseid meteor shower could still offer a stunning show in the German skies.
So, mark your calendars for August 12-13, 2025, and prepare for a night under the stars, as the Perseid meteor shower lights up the night sky.
More meteors might be visible in environmental-science classes as students learn about space-and-astronomy, especially during lessons on the Perseid meteor shower. On a clear night in Germany, weather conditions should allow for an unobstructed view, providing a unique opportunity for students to witness this celestial event.
