Shooting star spectacle: This is how you experience the Perseids in Bremen!

Shooting star spectacle: This is how you experience the Perseids in Bremen!

There is great anticipation in Bremen because this year's Perseids, a fantastic shower of shooting stars, are in full swing. Every August, sky enthusiasts can witness a real spectacle that originates from Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. How Buten and inland reports, the viewing platform at the garbage mountain is the best place to observe the sparkling celestial bodies. Here you can enjoy the spectacle in its full glory.

The peak of the meteor shower is usually expected on Wednesday night. Theoretically, around 60 to 100 shooting stars can be visible per hour. From a technical point of view, pieces of rock that hit the Earth on their way through the debris clouds left behind by Swift-Tuttle burn up in the atmosphere, leaving behind an impressive display of light.

History of Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle

The comet itself has an interesting history. It was discovered independently by Lewis Swift and Horace Parnell Tuttle in 1862. With a diameter of 26 kilometers, Swift-Tuttle is not only impressive, but is also considered the largest known comet near Earth. The comet takes around 133 years to orbit the Sun once, and its next flyby of Earth will take place in 2126, when it will be about 22.9 million kilometers away. Wikipedia reports that its core is the largest known celestial body to enter Earth's orbit.

The annual event has its roots in Earth's historic encounters with the comet's debris, dating back many centuries. As early as 188 AD and 69 BC. Observations of this phenomenon were documented in the 1st century BC, which illustrates the long-lasting fascination with shooting stars.

Visibility and observation opportunities

The shooting stars can currently be observed until the end of August on clear days. A crucial element is the moon, whose light has made visibility difficult over the past week. But despite these challenges, the experience of watching the Perseids remains magical. The meteors appear to stream from the constellation Perseus, which explains their name - named after the mythological hero from ancient Greece. At night, the particles burn up at speeds of up to 60 kilometers per second, providing one of the most impressive displays in the night sky. Geo notes that even in light weather conditions the view can be breathtaking.

Whether you are an experienced astronomer or simply curious about the wonders of the universe, the Perseids offer a unique opportunity to look up and enjoy the beauty of Bremen's night sky. Take the opportunity and head to the observation deck to capture these special moments!