Overview

• The annual Perseid meteor shower originates from debris from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle entering Earth’s atmosphere at about 60 km/s and burning up between 80 and 300 km altitude.
• The shower is forecast to reach its maximum on the night of August 11–12, offering up to 60–100 meteors per hour under optimal conditions.
• High-pressure system Ines is set to deliver clear, dry nights while the Moon’s limited illumination enhances visibility.
• Astronomy organizations are hosting free stargazing events in Potsdam on August 12 with storytelling, music and telescopes, and in Bochum on August 9 and 15 with lectures and group meteor watching.
• Observers are advised to find dark sites away from urban lights between midnight and sunrise to maximize meteor counts and viewing comfort.