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Of all the meteor showers that occur throughout the year, the Perseids is arguably the most spectacular cosmic display of them all, largely because no matter where you are in Spain, there is a great chance of seeing a shooting 'star' blaze across the sky.

 

Popularly known as the 'Tears of Saint Lawrence' in Spain due to the appearance of this incredible phenomenon so close to August 10, the feast day of Saint Lawrence, the Perseid meteor showers are one of the most awaited displays offered by the sky during the summer.

 

The shower is active between mid-July and the end of August. but is likely to peak at night on August 12 and the early hours of August 13 when the sky is at its darkest.

 

 

The astronomical phenomenon occurs when the Earth is in an area of its orbit where it comes into contact with a large accumulation of comet and asteroid debris. As these fragments, ranging in size from a grain of sand to a pea, enter the Earth's atmosphere at more than 40km per second, they burn up and produce the characteristic light of a shooting star.

 

 

In 2022 the so-called Tears of St Lawrence will be visible from July 14 to August 24, but it will be during the weekend of August 11-13 when the Perseids will be most active. In ideal conditions when there are no clouds, observers could see up to 150 an hour, according to the Royal Astronomical Society.

 

And according to NASA, the ideal time to see the Perseids in the northern hemisphere is during the pre-dawn hours, although they can also be seen at dusk, from 10pm onwards.

 

However, experts have warned that this year it will be more difficult to see shooting stars with the naked eye because, during the most intense days, the moon will be in its full phase.

 

To better appreciate them, get away from the lights of towns, cities, buildings, trees and noise pollution and catch a glimpse in more rural or isolated location where there is a clearer view of the horizon.

 

Now read: Storms on the horizon without any let-up in the heat: Spain weather outlook August 8-11

 

Image: AstroGEDA Elche