Residents of Muğla, pay attention to the night of August 13! Be sure to look at the sky
The awaited moment for the Perseid meteor shower, the most magnificent celestial event of the year, has arrived. This visual spectacle, which started in mid-July and will continue until the end of August, will reach its peak on the night connecting August 13 to August 14. The dark bays and highlands of Muğla will offer an incredible viewing opportunity for citizens who want to watch this unique natural event. Here are all the details about this natural event where hundreds of meteors will pass during the night...
Known among the public as "shooting stars," the Perseid meteor shower will literally illuminate the sky in mid-August. Meteors reaching speeds of 60 kilometers per second will burn up in the atmosphere, creating bright light trails and massive flashes called "fireballs." Coastal and rural areas with low light pollution like Muğla are among the ideal observation points for sky enthusiasts wishing to follow this spectacle.
THE MOST INTENSE VIEW WILL OCCUR ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 13
Data from the 2026 Sky Events Yearbook prepared by TÜBİTAK Turkey National Observatories indicates that among meteor showers occurring about eight times a year, the Perseid is one of the most striking. This celestial event, starting in mid-July, will last until August 24. However, the most fruitful time for sky watchers will be the night connecting August 13 to August 14. With suitable weather conditions, the passage of approximately 100 meteors per hour can be observed with the naked eye.
THE SOURCE OF THE UNIQUE VISUAL IS A GIANT COMET
Behind this natural event is the comet named 109P/Swift-Tuttle. With a nucleus diameter of about 26 kilometers and completing its orbit around the Sun every 133 years, this massive celestial body sheds rock pieces and dust clouds that enter and burn up in the atmosphere when intersecting Earth's orbit.
NEW MOON PHASE WILL PROVIDE AN OBSERVATION ADVANTAGE IN MUĞLA
One of the most important factors enhancing observation quality will be the position of the Moon. On the night of the meteor shower’s peak, the Moon will be in its new moon phase. Thanks to the absence of moonlight illuminating the sky, even the faintest meteors can be easily distinguished in Datça, Akyaka, or highland points far from Muğla’s city lights.
ENTERING THE ATMOSPHERE AT 60 KILOMETERS PER SECOND
Particles appearing to scatter from the direction of the Perseus constellation will enter the atmosphere at a high speed of about 60 kilometers per second. Due to this high friction, large pieces will create highly bright images called "fireballs." These massive light beams, which can reach brightness up to magnitude -3, will leave much longer traces in the sky compared to normal meteor passages. Sky enthusiasts who want to witness this historic night will be able to participate individually or in group observation events at the high and dark points of Muğla.
Reporter: News Center
