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Perseid Peak: Find the perfect spot for shooting stars!
The Perseids will reach their peak on August 12, 2025. Tips on the best observation and light pollution.
Perseid Peak: Find the perfect spot for shooting stars!
On the night of August 12th to 13th, 2025, the impressive Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak. Every August, sky lovers can gaze at the night sky with fascination and hope to catch a glimpse of one of the many shooting stars - the perfect opportunity to make wishes. Winfried von Ohle, from the Sternfreunde Soest association, recommends preparing for it and finding a good place for observation. It is particularly crucial to choose a location with little light pollution to get the opportunity to see the meteors in their full glory. The name “Perseids” refers to the constellation Perseus, where the meteors appear to originate. Between six and seven shooting stars are expected to be visible per hour, which isn't the 100 we were hoping for but is still worth a look.
During the best viewing time between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., the waning crescent moon, which is in the sky from 10:30 p.m. to 6:10 a.m., will slightly obscure the view of the spectacle, but it is still worth the wait. Anyone who has a little patience will be rewarded with a spectacular sight as the meteors cross the atmosphere at a speed of around 59 km/s, producing a brief but fascinating glow.
Observation Tips
The best conditions for a successful observation are the main location of the activity in the northeast of the sky and good preparation. Remember to allow yourself to get used to the darkness for about 10 to 15 minutes and stay in a comfortable position. By the way, telescopes and binoculars are not necessary – just enjoy!
If you don't want to watch alone, there are also group activities such as the meteor camp in the Swabian Alb biosphere area. This event, organized by Till Credner, brings together nature lovers from southern Germany and Austria to observe the Perseids together while raising awareness about the problems of light pollution. This not only contributes to the clouding of the starry sky, but also has far-reaching negative effects on flora and fauna.
Light pollution in focus
As National Geographic reports, light-polluted skies are a growing problem. Street lights, billboards and spotlights mean that fewer and fewer stars are visible. Antonio Schmusch has been documenting the brightness of the sky since 2018 and shows that many cities shine significantly brighter than would be the case in nature. A worrying fact is that over a billion nocturnal animals die every year due to light smog.
To counteract this, there are initiatives such as “Godfathers of the Night”, which advocate for the right to darkness. A particularly successful project is the request to 400 companies to switch off their nighttime advertising lighting. The general recommendation is: “Lights off, sky on.” This not only saves the night sky, but also raises awareness of our environment.
A total lunar eclipse will occur on September 7, 2025, promising another fascinating event in the sky. Until then, all star lovers shouldn't miss the night of August 12th and enjoy the beautiful light of the Perseids - preferably under a clear, dark sky, of course.