Each summer is the comeback of the Perseids in the sky. This famous rain of shooting stars has been active since mid-July 2025. But the maximum activity of meteors is still to come, in August. How to observe the Perseids in France now?
The next Perseid activity peak is imminent. It is certainly the most beautiful astronomical phenomenon of summer, visible to the naked eye: this swarm of shooting stars crosses the sky again. The period of activity of the Perseids opened on July 17, 2025. But the maximum of their visibility is still to come: it is planned on the night of August 12 to 13.
Be aware, however, that it is possible to see this date, and after. The spectacle of the Perseids is much appreciated by specialists as amateurs of astronomy. If you have never observed shooting stars, this is the ideal opportunity to start.
Where to look for them in the sky? How to observe these shooting stars, nicknamed the “tears of St. Lawrence”? Here are some tips to take advantage of the event, hoping that the weather will be favorable to the observation of the sky.
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During the period of activity of the Perseids, at its peak, the observation can take place in the evening. “” It is a nice swarm. At this time of year, holidays were a good opportunity to observe it “, Explains Florent Deleflie, astronomer at the Paris Observatory.
To see these shooting stars, you have to favor the least lit possible place. However, this is not a problem if the horizon is not very clear: ” The constellation of Perseus, which seem to emanate the Perseids, is raised in the sky. Even in the mountains, we can see them “Continues the specialist.
In what direction to look at the shooting stars?
To find the radiant, this place from which all the shooting stars seem to be leaving, you must first locate the constellation of Perseus. “” At the beginning of the night, look at the bottom of the W formed by the Cassiopée constellation. The radiant is in the extension of an imaginary line between the W of Cassiopée and the northern direction “Indicates Florent Deleflie. Around 2 a.m., the radiant will have moved below the W formed by Cassiopée.
« The swarm is observable around 20 ° in height: it is the ‘place’ that takes the hand on the sky, spreads apart and tense arms. It culminates around 70 ° high at the end of the night, ideal conditions if the sky is cleared “Explains the astronomer of the Paris Observatory.
As usual with the shooting stars, no need to use a telescope or an astronomical telescope: your eyes alone are enough. Simply allow them to be used to get used to darkness. If you cannot see the Perseids at the time of their activity peak, it does not matter: the swarm will still be active until the beginning of September.
Where do the shooting stars of the Perseids come from?
The Perseids come from a periodic comet, called 109p/Swift-Tuttle (names of the 2 astronomers which independently made its discovery in 1862). The shooting stars that we observe are the drag of dust left by this comet: when they come into contact with the earthly atmosphere, their disintegration causes these light traces. They enter the atmosphere at a speed of 200,000 km/h.
An orbit of 109p/Swift-Tuttle around the sun takes 133 years. The last time this comet visited our solar system was in 1992. It is a fairly large comet, whose nucleus measures 26 km, according to NASA. It is almost the size of the object that is suspected responsible for having caused the extinction of dinosaurs.
Perseids are known to be a very abundant shoot of shooting stars: between 50 and 100 meteors can be observed per hour. They are very brilliant and warm, which allows them to be easily spotted. “” Anyone can observe them. Observe them with several, it’s even better! “Enthuses Florent Deleflie.
You now know how to do it to observe the Perseids, before the activity peak, during, or until September. Good sky observation!
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