- Peak activity expected on the night of the 12th to the 13th, with a maximum around 22:00 p.m. (peninsular time).
- Very bright Moon: best options just after sunset or with our satellite low on the horizon.
- Observation period from July 17 to August 24; previous and subsequent nights are also valid.
- Key tips: dark skies, visual adaptation, looking opposite the Moon, and wide angle if you're going to photograph.
August returns with its starry nights: the Perseids will be protagonists one more year, although this summer it will be time to fine-tune the planning because the Moon will be very bright on key dates. Nothing that can't be solved with a good dark spot, well-chosen schedules, and adjusted expectations.
Far from streetlights and with patience, The rain puts on a show for several weeks, but the peak of activity is concentrated in the middle of the month. With the moon phase still elevated, it is advisable to play our cards: prioritize the first hours after sunset, watch for the moon to rise and also take advantage of the nights close to the peak.
When to see them this year
The maximum of the Perseids in mainland Spain is expected for August 12th around 22:00 PM, according to institutional references. The night of the 12th to the 13th will be the most notable, but with the Very bright moon Visibility will be reduced. However, it is worth going out: just after the sunset and before our satellite gains altitude there is an interesting window.
On that date, the The moon could appear around 23:15 p.m. (approx., depending on your location), leaving a brief stretch of dark sky at the beginning of the night. Then, if the Moon is low, aim your gaze at the opposite direction to reduce glare and continue watching.
The rain is active from the 17 from July to August 24, so the nights immediately after the maximum can also provide good flashes, especially before the moon risesIf the weather is good, spread your outings over several nights to increase your options.
Where to look and how to orient yourself
Although the radiant of the rain is in perseusMeteors can appear anywhere in the sky. If the Moon is bothering you, look for the opposite side and a horizon. wide and clear so as not to lose long strokes.
- Perseus gains height between the dawn and sunrise; with the radiant high the visible traces are increased.
- If you frame towards the radiant, you will see more meteors but with short trails; if you look away from it, less but with longer strokes.
- Avoid obstacles: look for a open field of view and lying down, to cover the largest portion of the sky.
How to observe them better
You don't need a telescope or binoculars: The Perseids are enjoyed with the naked eyeChoose a location free from light pollution and arrive with plenty of time to set up your gear and get situated.
- Give your eyes 20-30 minutes to adapt to darkness; avoid screens and white lights.
- Wear clothes light coat, mat or reclining chair, water and something to eat; the patience add meteors.
- If the Moon is present, direct your gaze to the opposite side and sit back and wait: traces will appear without warning.
- Check the prediction of clouds and the rising/setting of the Moon to select the darkest time zone.
Under ideal conditions, the Perseids reach rates higher than one hundred per hour (ZHR). However, this year, with a bright Moon, it is reasonable to wait tens per hour in dark skies, always at the mercy of time and place.
Tips for photographing them
If you're carrying a camera, consider stable equipment and simple parameters. A bright, wide-angle lens is your best ally; when the radiant rises, the odds increase. You can also find tutorials on our YouTube channel dedicated to astronomy.
- Tripod solid, infinity focus and shutter/intervalometer for long sequences.
- exhibitions of 5 to 15 s with ISO around 1600-3200 (depending on your sensor and the brightness of the Moon).
- Compose with intention: towards the radiant to add more short strokes; away from it to capture long trails.
- Apps like PhotoPills o Stellarium They will show you the position of the radiant in real time.
Until the 02:30 You can combine meteors with the Milky Way if the horizon and weather permit; then rotate the frame and let the sequence run until dawn.
What they are and why we see them
The Perseids are tiny particles from the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle that the Earth encounters every summer. Upon entering more than 50 km / h, the friction with the air heats them up and they ionizes in the atmosphere, creating light trails. To better understand their origin, we recommend you consult our Guide to the August lunar calendar.
We talk about meteors (non-meteorites): Almost all particles disintegrate at high altitude and only much larger fragments reach the ground. color The flash depends on the speed and its chemical composition.
Frequent myths and clarifications
- They do not appear because a comet "comes": It is the Earth that passes through the trail of debris left by Swift-Tuttle every year. In our article on meteor showers We explain how these events relate to the trajectory of nearby comets and asteroids.
- They are not always the heaviest rain: Its fame is due to its summer visibility; other showers such as the Geminids can be more active.
- The name is not for the mythological hero: It is called Perseids because the radiant is projected towards the Perseus constellation.
