Every year the Perseids, popularly called the Tears of Saint Lawrence, deliver one of the most eagerly awaited celestial displays. They aren’t truly alien to Earth; the streaks we witness are caused by tiny space rocks that heat up as they collide with our atmosphere. The meteor fragments are small pebbles that burn bright as they pass through the air and then disintegrate, leaving the brightest trails in our night sky. Only the largest pieces reach the surface of the planet.
When to see them?
Observations typically peak on the nights of August 12 and 13. The best moment to watch this natural spectacle, according to the National Geographic Institute, will occur around those dates, though a few nights before and after remain excellent for viewing. This year, the display will benefit from a near-new Moon, which minimizes skyglow and helps the meteors stand out, provided the sky remains clear.
Where can I observe them?
To catch the Perseids, one should escape artificial light and stads of urban glow. Bright streetlights wash out stars and dramatically reduce visibility. In large cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, a drive of several tens of kilometres may be needed to reach suitably dark skies. For smaller towns or medium-sized centers, a short trip of a few kilometres often suffices. There is no need to climb mountains or reach remote observatories—just a wide opening of sky above is enough.
traces of perseid efe
What does it take to see them?
Like any meteor shower, the Perseids cannot be observed through telescopes or binoculars. The meteors streak across the sky in unpredictable paths and last only one to three seconds. The best tool is the naked eye. Lying back comfortably on the ground or simply seated helps in enjoying the show more fully.
Where should you look?
The Perseids derive their name from the radiant appearing to emanate from the constellation Perseus. While the radiant is a useful visual cue, the meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. Practically, it is best to turn away from Perseus and let the meteors arc across the sky toward the viewer, giving a broad sense of motion as they blaze by.
The point where the meteors seem to originate is often labeled as the Perseus radiant, a helpful guide but not a tight constraint on visibility. Stellarium and other star maps show the obvious path, but the meteors can appear in any sector of the heavens. Use a wide field of view and enjoy the show as it unfolds overhead.
How many stars can be seen per hour?
A meteor forecast is typically issued ahead of a shower, indicating how many meteors might be seen per hour. These numbers are estimates and can vary with weather and atmospheric conditions. For the Perseids, forecasts have suggested up to about 200 meteors per hour under ideal conditions; even a lower rate still promises a rich display with frequent, bright streaks across the sky.
What exactly are they?
The Perseids are a meteor shower generated when Earth passes through debris shed by a comet. These tiny grains, sometimes as small as a grain of sand and occasionally larger, ignite due to the friction and heat as they plummet into the atmosphere. The brilliant lines we see are the glowing trails from these fiery fragments. The source cloud is produced by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun every 133 years and leaves behind tiny particles along its path. Each year, Earth intersects this stream, and many particles enter our atmosphere, producing the Perseids we admire. In other words, the light we witness is the result of the comet’s long journey through space leaving those small travelers behind.
The orbit of the comet that caused the Perseids is shown in astronomical maps and is cited by agencies and researchers to illustrate how the dust swirls through space before meeting Earth’s atmosphere.
Why are they also known as the Tears of San Lorenzo?
Tradition links the Perseids to Saint Lawrence, whose feast is observed on August 10. The dramatic dies of light across the sky have been interpreted in Christian lore as incandescent tears shed during the saint’s martyrdom. That association has endured in popular culture and in the naming of this spectacular meteor shower.
More about the Perseids in 2023: Perseidas overview and viewing tips can be found in their published materials. [Source attribution: National Geographic Institute and compatible astronomical sources.]