Shooting star surprise: Perseid night lights up Schleswig-Holstein!

Shooting star surprise: Perseid night lights up Schleswig-Holstein!

The night of August 12, 2025 is all about shooting stars: the meteor shower Perseids reaches its peak today and could produce up to 100 shooting stars per hour in the Cologne sky. These impressive celestial phenomena are the result when the Earth passes through the tail of comet Swift-Tuttle in its orbit around the sun, which develops its luminosity between mid-July and the end of August.

For all star lovers in the region, tonight is the opportunity to observe the sparkling meteors. The best viewing conditions are expected in rural areas and away from city lights. Places such as the North Frisian Islands, such as Pellworm or Fehmarn, or the Einfelder See north of Neumünster are ideal, where those interested in astronomy can enjoy the show even without special events at the Neumünster Observatory.

Visibility of the Perseids

Meteorologists expect largely clear conditions for the coming night, increasing the chances of breathtaking shooting star viewing. When looking at today's peak of the Perseids on the night of August 12th to 13th, it should be noted that the moon is over 80 percent illuminated. This could limit the visibility of fainter meteors. It is even more worthwhile to stay in a dark place where light pollution is not an issue.

The best viewing times are in the early morning hours, especially between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., when the constellation Perseus is high in the sky, as well the South German reported. To experience the desired darkness, it is advisable to adapt to the environment for at least 20 minutes. This patience will pay off, because the sight of the meteors hitting is always a fascinating experience.

Observation Tips

In order to best capture the beauty of the Perseids, it is important to avoid any light sources. It's better to leave your cell phone and binoculars at home. Instead, it's a good idea to bring a blanket or lounge chair to get comfortable and enjoy the night sky. However, taking photos with cell phone cameras can be challenging; Here, SLR cameras with a high ISO value and a remote shutter release are much more effective for capturing magical moments.

Whether in Hesse, Bavaria or Schleswig-Holstein, the anticipation of the Perseids can be felt throughout the entire region. As the Earth's atmosphere is traversed by the small fragments of comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, we can hope for clear and warm skies. Temperatures could be around 20 degrees for a comfortable night of observation, like Hesse show reported.

Take the opportunity and spend a night under the stars! Maybe you can go with friends to a place away from city life to experience the Perseid showers up close. Prepare to make wishes skyward as meteors streak through the night - a magical spectacle not to be missed!