This is the astronomical meeting of the year. From Friday 1st to Sunday August 3, more than 550 events are organized throughout France as part of the Night of Stars to contemplate the Perseids, this rain of shooting stars that the earth has been going through since July 17. Le peak is planned between August 11 and 12where the quantity of visible stars will be at its maximum. We give you our advice to get your eyes off!
Ban the light
The priority is to move away from any light pollutionexplains Karl Antier, geophysicist by training and amateur astronomer for almost 30 years. If you live in Marseille, it is better to leave the Marseille city for one night And find an isolated field or beach far from the lampposts and light signs.
But this year, it is not lucky: the moon will be full on August 9, while the peak of star rain is expected between August 11 and 12. However, the light of the moon makes dust observation more difficult. To enjoy the show despite its presence, it is better to find a place with high obstacles (mountains, buildings, trees, etc.) likely to be able to block the light of the moon.
Other point of vigilance, Choose a night when the atmosphere is as clean as possible : no clouds, humidity or dust in the air. “”In Provence, the climate is rather dry, it’s a chance!“, Rejoices Karl Antier. To maximize your chances, you will also have to cut sleep on sleep.”The stars are more visible at the end of the night, from two in the morning“, Explains the astronomer. The reason? If they are called the Perseids, it is because the stars are more visible in the region of the sky around the constellation of Perseus. Or,”, “This constellation is very low on the horizon at the start of the night, and very high in the sky at the end of the night“.
Stay concentrated
Finally, avoid them “barbecues between friends on the beach“, Advives Karl Antier. Not that the beach is an observation place to be avoided, but because observing the stars will require all your concentration. “You have to focus on the sky, otherwise you will only see the brightest stars in the corner of your eye ! specifies the geophysicist.
Allow at least an hour of observation to hope to see enough stars, and Rest your gaze every 10 to 15 minutes for maximum efficiency. Finally, to avoid torticollis and be more concentrated, do not hesitate to bring you a lounge chair or a yoga carpet!
