The Perseid shower is reaching its peak tonight and it's just time to put things in order - what details are important to know and which places are most recommended for viewing? • For the full list

• The meteor shower in Ramon Crater

  Photo: 

  Yaniv Cohen, Nature and Parks Authority

The annual meteor shower that hits Israel from August reaches its peak tonight (Wednesday)! And this is exactly the time to make some order in the mess and recommend some of the best places to watch this beautiful wonder.

The first thing that is important to know is that in order to observe meteors in the best possible way, you should stay away from light pollution as much as possible. What is light pollution? Basically - anything that illuminates and interferes with the stars to glow and stand out. This is why in urban areas it is very difficult to spot a meter to almost impossible, while in desolate places in the heart of the desert - you can see beautiful and powerful spectacles. 

Another interesting detail to keep in mind is that the best time to watch the Perseids is after sunset and before (!) Sunrise. A bit like what we explained about light pollution, the moon is also a source that illuminates the sky and thus reduces our chance of clearly predicting the meteor shower. Tomorrow the moon is expected to shine half an hour after midnight - so take this calculation accordingly!

Hence, for some recommendations on beautiful and magical places in the heart of a desert from which the rain can be best predicted. 

Star Trek at Khan Wells - A fascinating activity for Khan Wells night camp guests, standing in a crater and looking at the craters of the moon? There are not many places that provide such an experience. On the most special night of the year, when masses of meteors are observed in the night sky, it is worth arriving at the only night parking lot of the Nature and Parks Authority in the heart of the only starlight reserve in Israel - Ramon Crater.

It's best to just lie on your back and look for "falling stars" in the sky. Between a star and a meteor, it is recommended to reach a space garden - a new and special area for stargazing that was recently inaugurated in the parking lot area. In the garden, guides from the Nature and Parks Authority will be waiting for you, and with the help of fixed telescopes on site, they will teach the following how to find the most eye-catching celestial bodies and observe them.

The telescopes are open to parking lot guests at all hours of the night.

Where: Khan Wells Ramon Crater

When: Wednesday 12.8, 02: 00-20: 00, at no extra charge for accommodation in the parking lot.

Hot on the Moon - Ramon Crater Visitor Center: Come and learn about the connection between our crater and the craters on the moon and the other stars in our solar system. We will start with the moving story of Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli to enter space, and continue with a three-dimensional presentation illustrating how a crater was formed. We will then watch a film about the importance of starlight and darkness for our lives here on earth and end with a spectacular view with a cup of hot tea from the roof of the visitor center. 

At 20: 00-18: 00 Perimeter view of the Ramon Crater and the surrounding area.

21: 00-20: 00 Astronomical observation with the help of a laser marker.

Where: Ramon Crater Visitor Center.

When: Thursdays 6.8, 13.8, 20.8 and Wednesdays 12.8 at 21: 00-18: 00. No extra charge for the entrance fee to the site, free for subscribers.

'Summer of Stars' events - Mitzpe Ramon Local Council in collaboration with local businesses organizes a variety of events, of course in the format of Corona. There are various and varied star tutorials delivered on Starry Night mainly in the Perfume Roads district and at various farms like Desert Shadow, Noam in the Desert, Quiet Arrow and more in activities suitable for the whole family. The number of participants is limited. All the details here.

Those who did not have time to register or are actually interested in independent activity -  the Israeli Space Agency has prepared, also under the influence of the Corona, a unique podcast episode 'Making History' that contains all the stories, information and guidance you will need for the 2020 Perseids

shower. How was it created? And more and more - everything in the link here.

Near the observatory in Mitzpe Ramon - those who want a quiet place and an independent experience are advised to go to a unique and less popular corner. The Observatory is a special research facility belonging to the Department of Astronomy at Tel Aviv University, and it is not just located there - you can clearly see the night sky from there. But it is important to note, entry to the facility itself is prohibited, and is for authorized persons only. However you can watch the stars from a grove located not a short distance away. It is recommended to bring a mat or blanket and also a warm garment to wear and enjoy the quiet and the spectacular spectacle. 

How to get there? Sky Observatory Mitzpe Ramon in Wise, drive on the road until you reach the sign No entry - there it's time to stop to understand that the entrance is for authorized persons only. From here - turn onto a dirt road on the right and after 200 or 300 meters you have arrived! 

Overnight camps in the crater - Nakrat, Nahal Gvanim, Mount Ardon - For those who want to avoid even more light pollution, it is recommended to go down into the Ramon Crater and enjoy the experience there. The parking lots are recommended and accessible to any vehicle. Inside the crater the Milky Way looks clearer than ever and the meteor shower will also be more visible! 

Harem Colors Axis - a fairly new and highly invested route, full of unique vantage points. The track will also be open at nights throughout the meteor week. The axis includes hiking trails, lovely seating areas and more. Important to note: The route is usually a day route, not a night route. Accommodation and stay, setting up a tent, and lighting fires throughout the national park - is prohibited. If you get there during the day, you can enjoy a beautiful visit to an open geological museum where rocks have unique colors and shapes! Continuing the trip and with a little luck, you will enjoy a water mop that thanks to the last rainy winter is still full!

How to get?  Entrance to the scenic road from Highway 40, between the 88-89 km mark. Due to a continuous dividing line on the road, entry is possible only from the south. Those coming from the north (from Mitzpe Ramon) will continue for another kilometer, descend to the right onto a dirt road and return carefully. Leumi Ramon Crater Colors.

Timna Park -  If you head further south towards the southern Arava, you can also enjoy the meteor experience in the popular Timna Park. Timna Park opens its gates for a meteoric experience in the most magical place in the Arava. The scenery - starry skies over the illuminated Timna Park landscapes, viewing stars and celestial bodies using telescopes that will be placed at the park's sites and all accompanied by professional guidance.

Music and stars in Avdat National Park - The Nabataean city of Avdat has been dormant for 1500 years and we will wander through its ancient walls and discover its secrets. On a guided tour we will ascend to the watchtower, pass a market and a fortress, observe the views of the Negev from the northern church and

finish at the Roman villa. In the villa another player will be waiting for us. He will be amazing in his playing and we will close our eyes, listen to the sounds of the music and sail in time and space. After the musical journey we will walk by lantern light to a particularly dark spot and there we will observe the star carpet in the night sky. The guide will explain to us about our solar system and more and less familiar stars, and more and more. Duration of the tour, playing and star gazing 3-2.5 hours.

Where: Avdat National Park 

When: Thursdays 6.8, 13.8, 20.8. Gathering in the parking lot of the site at 17:30, departure for the tour at 18:00,

registration and advance payment by phone 3639 *

Price: person: 50 NIS, subscription: 25 NIS

Jordan Star National Park - Stargazing requires complete darkness, and the 'Star of the Winds' fortress in the Jordan Star National Park is a unique point of darkness over the Jordan Valley area, so the view from it of the meteor shower is high quality. You are welcome to be with us when the sky will be lit by meteor showers, and do not forget to ask for a wish. In addition, you can walk in the fortress in light of the newly installed lighting.

Sign up for the Nature and Parks Authority's reservation system 'Lie on your back, watch the stars and enjoy the beauty of the celestial bodies on Meteor Night. Arrive with: training shoes, warm garment, mat / rug, flashlights covered with red cellophane.