The moon is at war with the stars
This year, the night of August 11 to 12 will be the richest in shooting stars. Unfortunately, a full moon will act as a colossal luminary so dazzling that it will overshadow smaller, dimmer shooting stars. This is why astronomers recommend observing them this weekend. These celestial bodies will certainly be less numerous, but the conditions will be optimal for better observing them.
Besides, here are some tips from the president of the UMons astronomy circle to see as much as possible: “First of all, avoid all places near parasitic lighting that erases the starry sky. The ideal is to put yourself on a deckchair, for example, or to lie down on the ground in the dark to look at the sky. In this position, you have a wide field of vision. Concretely, this allows you to observe a large part of the celestial vault at once. You will therefore have a much better chance of seeing as many shooting stars as possible, than if you are at home or between two buildings. If a garden can do the trick, it is certain that places like the Moroccan desert or at altitude in the Alps are magnificent points of observation as the atmosphere is pure.“
As nature is a gift, it is important to be patient to make the most of its light show. A story of making wishes thanks to specks of dust that will illuminate the night skies with a thousand lights.