Shooting star spectacle: The best places for the Perseids 2025!

Shooting star spectacle: The best places for the Perseids 2025!

On August 12, 2025, there is a good chance that Cologne residents will be able to observe the fascinating Perseid shooting stars in the night sky. These meteor showers, which come from dust particles from Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, can be seen every August, with the peak occurring this year on the night of August 12th to 13th. That night, astronomy fans can expect around 60 meteors per hour, assuming conditions are optimal. ZVW reports that dark locations, far away from artificial light sources, are essential in order to optimally enjoy the impressive light phenomena.

However, with the full moon, which was visible just a few days earlier on August 9th, the view of the fainter shooting stars could be impaired. The extra light makes it more challenging to observe the meteors, which are often only the size of a grain of sand and travel through Earth's atmosphere at speeds of about 35 miles per second. When it comes into contact with air, friction and ionization produce the characteristic glowing phenomena. Particularly bright meteors are called fireballs and move across the night sky with a spectacular shine. Ingenieur.de emphasizes that patience is required when observing: you should give yourself at least 10 to 15 minutes to get used to the darkness and adjust your eyes optimally.

Observing tips for the Perseids

If you want to hunt the meteors according to their constellations, you should orient yourself towards the northeast. The most comfortable option is to collapse into a lounge chair or spread out a blanket. A little preparation doesn't hurt: tripods and wide-angle lenses are a big help if you want to capture the shooting stars photographically. The right equipment also includes appropriate camera settings, such as an ISO value between 200 and 400 and an exposure time of around 30 seconds. Hobby astronomy offers insightful tips for anyone who wants to capture their experiences under the stars.

Another interesting detail is the cultural significance of the Perseids. They are viewed not only as an astronomical phenomenon, but also as an omen, with many people in various cultures making a wish upon visual contact with a shooting star. In fact, the oldest reports of this impressive meteor shower date back to the 3rd or 4th century AD in China, and scientific study began in the 19th century. So what are you waiting for? Grab the blanket, find a dark place and let yourself be enchanted by the fascinating lights of the night sky!