As we all know, Asterix and his Gaulish pals’ greatest fear was that the sky would fall on their heads. So it’s no surprise that here in Lyon, capital of the Gauls, we’re about to receive the ultimate punishment: the biggest shower of shooting stars in recent times. Read the guide and look up Par Toutatis!
Perseids, kesako?
The culprit behind this XXL firework display is 109P/Swift-Tuttle, a large comet 26km in diameter that has been orbiting the Sun for 133 years. In its wake, it leaves a trail of cosmic dust. Every summer, the Earth passes through this zone, and when these fragments enter our atmosphere, they disintegrate to form the famous fireballs known as the Perseids.
The best time to observethem is from July 16 to August 23, giving you a great window to look up at the sky. The nights of August 12 and 13 should be particularly propitious for contemplation, with a peak between 2 and 3 am. Enjoy…
A shower of shooting stars, really?
Yes, that’s right. Up to 100 an hour! But to really enjoy them, a few precautions are called for. It’s strongly recommended to stay away from light pollution – and let’s face it, in Lyon, that’s no fun… So it’s the perfect opportunity to get away from Lyon and spend a weekend in one of the surrounding villages. And as all great shows have to be earned, you’ll have to keep an eye out for them. The ideal time? Between midnight and dawn, when the sky is pitch-black and the celestial magic is at its height. That’s what we simply call… the charm of the beyond.