Rain of shooting stars: This weekend, the Perseids will illuminate the Geneva sky

– This weekend, the Perseids will light up the Geneva sky

During the night from Saturday to Sunday, the summer astronomical phenomenon will be at its peak. Decryption and tips for enjoying the show.

Posted today at 2:12 p.m.

If the sky is clear, it will be possible to observe up to a hundred shooting stars per hour on the night of August 12 to 13. (illustrative image)

KEYSTONE

Saturday night, it’s going to rain… shooting stars! The Perseids are back and will light up the Geneva sky this weekend, in the night from Saturday to Sunday. What is it about? When, how and where to best enjoy this spectacle. Five point answers.

What are the Perseids?

The Perseids are a meteor shower made up of debris from comet Swift-Tuttle. Their size varies between that of a grain of sand and a pea. They move at a speed of about 210,000 km/h and ignite when they come into contact with the Earth’s atmosphere. Weather permitting, up to a hundred shooting stars can be observed per hour.

Why are they called that?

The “Perseids” take their name from Perseus, a famous character from Greek mythology. The son of Zeus and Danae gave his name to a constellation where these shooting stars seem to come from.

When can we observe them?

The meteor shower is observable from July 20 until August 25, with a peak usually between August 11 and 15. The night of Saturday August 12 to Sunday August 13, from 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., will be the best time to admire the Perseids.

How to enjoy the show?

Of course, the weather must be good and the sky must be clear. It is also necessary to favor a place far from any light pollution, such as the countryside or at altitude. And to avoid a torticollis, plan a blanket to lie down in the grass. Facing the sky, you will be able to chain the wishes comfortably.

Where to see the shower of shooting stars?

The Signal de Bernex hills will host a public observation of the Perseids on Saturday evening, from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. The meeting is organized by the Astronomical Society of Geneva which celebrates its centenary this year.

As part of the 5^e edition of Perseids Project, which invites you to turn off artificial lighting on the night of August 12 to 13 to reclaim the night, nearly 500 municipalities have agreed to play the game, totally or in part. In the canton of Geneva, Genthod and Corsier will completely turn off their public lighting. Meyrin, Vernier, Confignon, Chêne-Bougeries and Choulex will carry out a partial extinction (see the interactive map below).

In neighboring France, the orion astronomy clublocated in the Pays de Gex, will welcome the public on Saturday evening, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., at Fort l’Écluse, about thirty minutes from Geneva.