Every summer, astronomy enthusiasts and the curious alike marvel at a celestial spectacle: the Perseid shower of shooting stars. In 2025, conditions promise a particularly impressive show, with a peak expected on a near-perfect night. Whether you're a casual observer or an enthusiast with your camera, here's everything you need to know to make sure you don't miss a thing.

What are the Perseids?

The Perseids are a meteor shower that occurs every year between mid-July and the end of August. They take their name from the constellation Perseus, from which the meteors appear to originate. In reality, these "shooting stars" are not stars at all, but tiny dust particles left behind by the comet Perseus. Swift-Tuttle as it passes close to the Sun.

These particles, often smaller than a grain of sand, enter the Earth's atmosphere at around 59 km/s, creating brilliant streaks of light visible to the naked eye.

Why 2025 is a special year

In 2025, maximum Perseid activity is expected on the night of August 12 to 13. This year, the Moon will be very present, making it impossible to observe even the faintest shooting stars. So you'll need to optimize all the other parameters: an unobstructed location, a sky free of light pollution and the avoidance of screens. A decisive factor for observing a large number of meteors!

When and where to observe?

• Optimum period : August 9 to 15, with a peak on the night of August 12 to 13.
• Ideal time : after midnight to dawn, often peaking between 2 and 4 am.
• Direction: look northeast towards the constellation Perseus, but meteors can cross the whole sky.

Practical tips for observing the Perseids

1. Stay away from light pollution : prefer rural or mountainous areas.
2. No need for a telescope The naked eye is the perfect tool for this phenomenon.
3. Make yourself comfortable deckchair, blanket and warm clothing.
4. Patience Give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust to the dark.

Observation vs. photography: two different approaches

Watching the Perseids is easy and accessible to all, but photographing them requires a minimum of preparation. To immortalize these meteors:

• Use a sturdy tripod.
• Set your camera to manual mode, aperture f/2.8 to f/4, ISO between 1600 and 3200, and exposure time between 15 and 25 seconds.
• Aim for an area of dark sky and let it run in bursts for several tens of minutes.

My RTS interview about the Perseids

I had the pleasure of talking about the Perseids and sharing my tips in an interview for the Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS). We discuss the best conditions for observing this phenomenon and the difference between observation and photography.

What if you went one step further?

The Perseids are one of the ideal gateways to astronomy. If you want to explore the night sky further, Deep Space Astronomy offers carefully selected equipment and personalized advice for all levels. Whether you're just starting out or looking to perfect your skills, we have the equipment and expertise to support you.

Conclusion

The Perseid shower 2025 promises to be one of the highlights of the astronomical year. Plan your evening, find a good spot and let yourself be carried away by this age-old natural spectacle. And why not immortalize the moment for a unique souvenir?

Good heavens to all!