Summer is shooting star season
In mid-August, showers of meteors hit Earth. The Perseids return at the same time every year. Open your eyes, you may see a wish come true!
You could almost set your clock to them
Every summer, a large number of shooting stars burn up in our atmosphere. Their names derive from the constellations in our night sky where they appear. In August most of the Perseids will come down, named after the constellation of Perseus. July was already the high point of the Aquariids, named after Aquarius.
That's how they come about
The dates for the shooting star showers are the same every year, because they're in line with the solar calendar. Every year on the same day, Earth passes through trails of dust left behind by comets.
Tiny particles - shining bright
This is what happens when tiny dust particles enter our atmosphere and burn up. These meteors only have a diameter of one millimeter to one centimeter. The bigger they are, the more beautiful the shooting star appears in the sky.
Not just in the summer
There are also times in the winter when Earth passes through trails of comet dust. Then the chances of seeing a shooting star are good, as well — for example in November and December. That's when the Leonids and the Geminids hit our planet.
Getting away from the city lights
The best place to observe the shooting stars is far away from artificial light sources, somewhere in nature on a warm summer evening, perhaps, provided there is not constant rain.
For tougher nature lovers
Those not afraid of putting on warm winter clothing and going out at night have another option: Enjoy the shooting stars on a cold winter night on top of a mountain. Clear skies and high pressure weather systems make for optimal conditions.
Don't forget your wishes
Even if you're watching shooting stars purely for scientific interest, don't forget to wish someone something good, when you see a meteor. Important: Don't tell anybody, though, otherwise your good intentions will not come true.