Every year, between July and August, astronomical enthusiasts delight in the Perseid meteor shower. This summer, however, there is one particular challenge that promises to ‘overshadow’ the spectacle: a very bright moon.
The peak of activity is scheduled for tonight, August 12-13. Although the Perseids can be seen until August 24, by then the ‘trail of light’ will be less intense. Despite the extra challenge, we’ll explain more about this astronomical event and give you some practical tips.
Origin of the Perseids
This meteor shower owes its name to the constellation of the same name, which arises from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, discovered independently by Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle in 1862.
According to the Euronews website, comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle has a nucleus about 26 kilometers in diameter, “making it the largest known object that periodically crosses the Earth’s orbit”.
According to the same source, as the comet approaches the Sun it heats up, causing the ice on its surface to turn from solid to gas, releasing dust and small rocks. This debris is scattered along its orbit and forms the stream that gives rise to the famous Perseids.
Every year, at the height of summer, the Earth crosses this cloud of particles. As they enter the atmosphere at around 59 km/s, the fragments heat up and vaporize, creating a luminous effect we call a “shooting star”.
“The Tears of St. Lawrence”
The contemplation of this meteor shower is not something contemporary. What does this mean? Despite the fact that it was only discovered in the 19th century, Chinese records have survived from the year 36 AD, which mention this phenomenon.
In addition to this curiosity, it should be noted that the Perseids are also known in European popular culture as the “Tears of St. Lawrence”. The name was given to coincide with the feast in honor of Saint Lawrence, a Christian martyr.
Tips for observing in 2025
As we mentioned at the beginning, 2025 is not the best year for observing the Perseids, at least for the most ‘amateur’ of enthusiasts, since their contemplation in the open air will be overshadowed by the brightness of the moon (in its waning phase).
In this context, it is more than ever advisable to stay away from light pollution and away from large urban centers. So, with moderate expectations, here are some tips for those who want to stay up all night:
- A flashlight with a red light filter for better orientation in the dark
- A chair, rug and/or blanket
- Hot drinks, water and some snacks to keep your energy up
- Use apps like Star Walk 2 and Sky Tonight, etc.
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