✨ What’s Happening?
The Perseid Meteor Shower is back, dazzling the skies between July 17 and August 24, 2026, with its peak nights on August 12–13. This year is extra special: the peak coincides with a New Moon, meaning dark skies and maximum visibility. In rural areas, you could see 50–100 meteors per hour, and in perfect conditions up to 150 meteors per hour.
🌠 Why the Perseids Are Unique
Origin: The meteors come from debris left by Comet Swift‑Tuttle, which orbits the Sun every 133 years.
Speed: Meteors streak across the sky at 59 km/s (212,000 km/h), creating bright fireballs.
History: Observed for over 2,000 years, the Perseids are the most popular meteor shower worldwide.
📍 Best Viewing Tips (Addis Ababa & Beyond)
Timing: Watch from 11 PM until dawn, with the best activity just before sunrise.
Location: Head to the Entoto Mountains or countryside outside Addis Ababa to escape city lights.
Preparation:
Bring a blanket and lie flat for wide sky views.
Avoid phone flashlights to keep your eyes adjusted.
Be patient — meteors often come in bursts.
🌍 Bonus Sky Events
Total Solar Eclipse (Aug 12): Visible in Spain, Iceland, and Greenland — partial eclipse in parts of Africa and Europe.
Six‑Planet Parade: Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune align the same night.
Sturgeon Moon (Aug 28): A partial lunar eclipse adds to August’s celestial drama.
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