Astronomy - Starbursts from the Perseids - nights are sometimes clear
In recent days, there's been an increase in shooting stars - if the night sky is clear. The Perseid meteor shower reliably brings this cosmic spectacle at the beginning of August, with the peak expected between the 9th and 13th. Astronomers predict the most meteors in the early morning hours of the 12th.
According to the German Weather Service (DWD) in Essen, the chances of a partly clear night sky in North Rhine-Westphalia are good. From Friday to Sunday, there will likely be partial clearings at night. From Sunday to Monday, the night is expected to be mostly cloud-free. "That looks pretty good," said the DWD meteorologist. From Monday to Tuesday, it is expected to be mostly lightly cloudy.
For optimal viewing of stars and shooting stars, the sky should be as dark as possible, making the sparsely populated Eifel region ideal for stargazers. Even before the expected peak, the guided tours of the night sky in the Eifel Nature Park are fully booked. Since 2023, about 50 to 70 tours per year have been offered by local star guides.
"Under optimal conditions, you can spot a meteor every two to three minutes," explained the Max Planck Society. Among the Perseids, there are often particularly bright specimens, known as fireballs.
This increase in shooting stars has sparked interest, making stargazing sessions in the Eifel region highly sought-after. On clear nights, the chance of spotting a brilliant fireball among the Perseids is quite high.
