The Perseids, popularly known as "shooting stars," return this August to illuminate the night sky with one of the most anticipated astronomical events. The phenomenon, resulting from Earth's passage through particles left by comet Swift-Tuttle, reaches its peak between August 11 and 13.
Observers in Portugal can expect dozens of meteors per hour in locations with low light pollution, such as rural and mountainous areas. The best way to appreciate this spectacle is with the naked eye, in dark places, allowing eyes to adjust to the darkness. The name "Perseids" comes from the constellation Perseus, from which the meteors appear to emanate.