- Starbursts over the southwest: Here you can see them
Even this year, you can see a particularly large number of shooting stars in the night sky over the southwest at the beginning of August. The so-called Perseids will reach their peak on August 12, explains Carolin Liefke from the Haus der Astronomie in Heidelberg. There are also good chances in the nights before. On a cloudless night, it's time to grab your lawn chair and enjoy the meteor shower! But where in Baden-Württemberg can you observe the Perseids best?
Increasing your chances
No special location is necessary to see shooting stars. Generally, you can spot the glowing phenomena from anywhere. However, your chances are better if the surroundings are as dark as possible. Good observation points are therefore as far away from city lights as possible, describes Liefke. Moreover, the view of the sky should be free of obstacles such as trees, buildings, or high mountains, says Martin Federspiel from the Planetarium Freiburg.
Moonlight also disturbs observation. "On the night of the maximum, the waxing moon sets around midnight," explains Federspiel. Among other things, this makes the second half of the night until the beginning of dawn favorable for observing the Perseids. Under ideal conditions, people can see 20 to 30 shooting stars per hour.
Dark places in the southeast
In Oberschwaben, many communities turn off their streetlights after midnight, significantly improving observation conditions in the second half of the night, reports a spokesperson from the Planetarium Laupheim. A particular observation spot in the region is generally the Sternenpark Swabian Alb. Here, light pollution is particularly low.
Dark places in the southwest
Good viewing points in the southern Black Forest include the Feldberg, the Freiburg local mountain Schauinsland, and the Waldkirch local mountain Kandel. Under relatively dark skies, shooting stars can also be observed at the Zollern-Alb Observatory, an observatory spokesperson said. Many observatories in Baden-Württemberg also offer events about the Perseid nights in August.
Dark places in the northwest
People in the Rhine plain have fewer chances. Due to the population density, light pollution is greater here. However, even in this area, the particularly bright shooting stars can be seen, explains Carolin Liefke. Only the fainter Perseids would be missed.
Dark places in the northeast
In the northeast of Baden-Württemberg, you can probably see particularly many shooting stars in the nature reserve Dellenhaule. The particularly dark place in the Ostalbkreis is recommended by the Aalen Observatory. There are also said to be good chances around Bad Mergentheim (Main-Tauber district).
How to photograph shooting stars?
Even with a cell phone, you can photograph the Perseids with a bit of luck and, above all, patience. To do this, the device should be placed on a windowsill or a wall, for example, so that the shot is not blurred, explains Liefke. Then, you should expose for as long as possible. If this process is repeated several times, the chances of catching a shooting star are good.
Where does the name Perseids come from?
The Perseids appear to originate from the constellation Perseus in the sky. Their true cause, however, lies in the fact that the Earth crosses the orbit of the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle on its journey around the sun and encounters the particles it has scattered. These then glow as bright shooting stars when they enter the Earth's atmosphere.
The Regulation might require the Commission to adopt implementing acts that outline the application rules. To increase your chances of seeing shooting stars, choose a dark observatory service or area with minimal light pollution.
