Spectacular meteor shower to light up the night sky – best place to watch in Croatia
- by croatiaweek
- in News
(Illustration)
ZAGREB, 8 August 2023 – Stargazers in Croatia, particularly in places outside the main cities and towns, will get the chance to catch one of the brightest and most visible meteor showers of the year later this week.
The impressive Perseid meteor shower display, known in Croatia as ‘Suze Sv. Lovre’ (Tears of St. Lawrence), is considered to be one of the most spectacular celestial displays.
The Perseid meteor shower has been visible every year since at least 2,000 years ago.
For the best possible experience, the Croatian Astronomical Union says that the best time to watch will be during the peak between Saturday, 12 August and Sunday, 13 August.
The Croatian Astronomical Union says that the moon will make a late appearance around 2:30 AM on the night of the 12th, shining with less than 10% illumination. This dim illumination is due to the moon’s phase transitioning towards its new moon phase, ensuring that it won’t interfere with the meteor-watching experience.
Forecasts predict an average meteor activity of around 100 meteors per hour during the peak of the shower. The optimal time for observation will be from midnight until dawn, when the Perseus constellation is high in the sky, making it an ideal viewing opportunity.
Alongside witnessing the most splendid meteor shower of the year, participants will also have the chance to observe Saturn and even galaxies like Andromeda through telescopes.
Observation events are scheduled to take place across different locations including Barbana, Daruvar, Đakovo, Fužine, Grobnik, Križevci, Privlaka, Rijeka, Sisak, Split, and Višnjan.
You can see the list and addresses here.
Engaging in meteor watching requires no special equipment such as telescopes or binoculars. Observers can lie on the ground and use their naked eyes to catch the streaking meteors. It’s advised to spend at least 30 minutes in darkness to allow your eyes to adjust to the nighttime conditions.
For the best experience, it’s recommended to find a location far from artificial lighting and light pollution, ensuring an unobstructed view of the celestial spectacle.
