Shooting Stars: How to best see the Perseids over Cologne

Created: 08/11/2022 15:33

By: Johanna Werning

In the night of August 13, the Perseids reach their peak: when and where can you see the shooting stars in Cologne?

Cologne – What could be nicer than going shooting star hunting on warm summer nights?

The luminous celestial bodies are particularly easy to see in August.

The reason: The Perseids - the most well-known meteor shower then crosses the earth again on its way to the sun.

But when does the Perseid shooting star rain peak?

24RHEIN shows where the shooting stars in Cologne can best be seen.

Perseids 2022 peak around August 13 – up to 100 shooting stars per hour

In the night from August 12 to 13, a particularly large number of shooting stars can be seen in Cologne (IDZRW montage).

© Oliver Berg/dpa & agefotostock/Imago

In August 2021, the Perseid shooting stars were particularly good to see in Cologne, but what about this year?

The peak of the Perseids will be reached on the night of August 12-13 - probably around 3am.

Then theoretically up to 100 shooting stars per hour are possible.

"Experience has shown that about 2-3 bright shooting stars in 10 minutes are realistic when observing," according to the

.

However, they are only easy to see when the weather cooperates.

24RHEIN asked the

: Does the weather in Cologne play along with the shooting stars night?

"Currently it doesn't look bad at all," says a

meteorologist.

So the people of Cologne can look forward to a real shower of shooting stars this year.

The night sky in Cologne is clear both on the night of Saturday (13 August) and on the night of Sunday (14 August).

“Only very few clouds are to be expected – if at all.

It should literally be starry for Cologne,” the meteorologist continued.

The temperatures are between a mild 15 and 16 degrees.

However, there is a problem: on the night of August 12th to 13th there is a full moon, making it difficult to see faint shooting stars.

What you need to know about the Perseid shooting stars in 2022 - the overview

► What are the Perseids?

The Perseids are a meteor shower that causes a shower of shooting stars every August.

"They are caused by the dissolution products of comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which left dust behind on its orbit around the sun," says the

.

► When will the Perseids peak in 2022?

The peak is reached around 3 a.m. on the night of August 12-13.

Until August 24th, more and more shooting stars can be seen.

► Where is the best place to watch shooting stars in Cologne?

In the next few days the night sky in Cologne will be clear.

However, on the night of August 12th to 13th there is a full moon.

Tip: Look for dark places and then face northeast.

Shooting stars in Cologne: Where to see the Perseids best

But where and how do you best see the Perseid shooting stars?

Most shooting stars can be seen in the northeast.

"The very bright 'star' that you can currently see in the east can serve as a guide," according to the

.

This is the planet Jupiter.

“From there you go a little further north at the same level.

In order to be able to observe the shooting stars, it is sufficient if you look roughly in this direction," says the

.

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Other tips: Don't go shooting star hunting in the center of Cologne.

Because the brighter the environment, the more difficult it is to see shooting stars.

It is therefore best if you drive out of the city and enjoy the shooting stars in nature.