Where and when can we best see the tears of Saint Lawrence?

PalmThe night of Sant Llorenç is possibly one of the most magical nights of the year, since if we are in the right place, observing the meteor shower guarantees us a good plan for a summer evening. The best time to observe this phenomenon will be this Tuesday night around 10 p.m., although it can be observed several days before and after.

According to Salvador Sánchez, the scientific director of the Foundation of the Institute of Astronomy and Astronautics of Mallorca (FIAAM), although the maximum will occur on Tuesday morning and, therefore, will not be visible, during the night will be the most propitious time to enjoy this astronomical spectacle.

However, it should be noted that this year, the waning phase of the moon could hinder the visibility of the weakest meteors, so it will be important to locate yourself in areas away from light pollution and with views towards the north. In this sense, the meteor shower rate will be "scarce," according to Sánchez, with between 20 and 30 per hour, but he emphasized that "they will be bright and very visible."

Recommendations for enjoying the experience

The scientific director recommended beginning observations at 10 p.m. in locations away from light pollution and with a clear north-northeast horizon, "looking towards the Tramuntana mountain range and a little to the right."

He also advised taking advantage of moments when the moon, which has just passed its full phase and will be very illuminated, is low in the sky to facilitate the detection of fainter meteors.

Furthermore, FIAAM recommends, if you go to the mountains, wearing comfortable clothing, long sleeves, and a mat or towel to enjoy the sky and avoiding using lights that could interfere with astronomical observation.

This astronomical phenomenon can be observed every year between mid-July and the end of August, just as the Earth passes through the tail of comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, formed by dust and sand. When these solid particles, the size of grains of sand, enter the Earth's atmosphere as they fall at high speed, friction with the air causes them to ignite, triggering the meteor shower. The radiant point from which these objects appear to originate is located between the constellations of Perseus and Cassiopeia.

Perseid Observation Workshop in Inca

For their part, the Inca City Council and FIAAM organized a public observation event this Tuesday at the Mateu Cañellas sports center in Inca, "naturally oriented toward the direction of the meteor shower and without visual obstacles," according to the foundation's scientific director.

The event, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. and is already full, will include observations of the Moon and Saturn with a dozen telescopes, as well as explanations about the phenomenon and other objects in the night sky.