The Perseid meteor shower will be especially visible over Cyprus on the night of 13 August

On the night of 12–13 August, the peak of the Perseid meteor shower will be visible over Cyprus. In clear weather, dozens of meteors per hour are expected in the sky, and under favourable conditions their number could reach one hundred.

The Perseids are considered one of the brightest and most reliable annual meteor showers. They occur when Earth passes through a trail of dust left by Comet Swift–Tuttle. The particles enter the atmosphere at a speed of around 59 kilometres per second and burn up, leaving bright trails in the sky.

Conditions for viewing will be especially favourable this year: the peak of activity coincides with the new moon, so moonlight will cause virtually no interference. This increases the chances of seeing more meteors.

The best time for viewing is from late evening on 12 August until dawn on 13 August. The highest activity is expected in the pre-dawn hours. No special equipment will be needed. It is enough to choose a location away from city lights, allow your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the darkness and look at an open section of the sky.

One of the best places for viewing in Cyprus is considered to be the area around the Troodos Observatory. A special event for astronomy enthusiasts is also scheduled there on the evening of 12 August.

Despite the meteor shower’s name, there is no need to look specifically for the constellation Perseus — meteors will appear in different parts of the sky. The main requirements are an unobstructed horizon and minimal artificial lighting.

Perseid activity will continue until 24 August, but the night of 12–13 August is expected to be the most impressive.