Meteor Showers over Hamm: Venues and Occurrences of the Perseids
On the night of Wednesday, August 13th, skygazers in Hamm, Germany will have the opportunity to witness the annual Perseid Meteor Shower. Here's a guide to help you optimize your viewing experience.
The Perseid Meteor Shower occurs when tiny dust particles from the comet's dust cloud, Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, enter Earth's atmosphere and heat up due to friction with air molecules, resulting in visible shooting stars. Stargazers can expect to see up to 60 meteors per hour during the event.
To see the shooting stars at their best, start observing the sky around 10 PM. However, it's important to note that the moon, which will be about 84% full, will rise throughout the night, potentially impairing visibility. To improve your chances, you can watch the nights just before the peak (late July to early August), when the moon is less bright and sets earlier, giving darker skies.
Choose a dark area away from city lights in Hamm or surrounding countryside to minimize light pollution. Open fields or parks with a wide, unobstructed view of the northern and northeastern sky facing Perseus are ideal.
Check the local weather forecast close to the date. Clear skies with low humidity and little to no cloud cover are crucial. Hamm’s typical August weather should be warm and conducive if clear, but local meteorological updates will be helpful.
Allow at least 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark. Avoid looking at bright lights like phone screens. Lie on a reclining chair or blanket to comfortably watch a wide span of the sky, focusing roughly toward the north-northeast where Perseus lies. Be patient—observing for at least an hour increases your chances of seeing meteors.
It's also worth noting that entering private properties should be avoided when choosing a location. The best places to observe the Perseid Meteor Shower in Hamm are the Herringer Heath, fields behind Heessen, Rhynern, and the Geithe. The city center will also offer views, but the best conditions are in the outer areas.
In other news, the Shooting Season 2025 in Hamm has its final sprint, and shoplifting incidents are being investigated by the Hamm Police. Additionally, there is a cooperation between HSHL and a university in Kyiv.
References: [1] https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-showers/perseids.html [2] https://www.space.com/38077-perseid-meteor-shower-2021.html [3] https://www.space.com/38078-how-to-watch-perseids-meteor-shower-2021.html [4] https://www.space.com/38079-perseids-meteor-shower-2021-best-times.html [5] https://www.space.com/38080-perseids-meteor-shower-2021-peak-date.html
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