The Tears of San Lorenzo, known as the Perseids meteor shower, is one of the most eagerly anticipated celestial events every summer in the Canary Islands.
This year, the Perseids will reach their peak activity between Sunday, 11 August, and Tuesday, 13 August, with the highest intensity expected on the night of Monday, 12 August. During this peak, up to 110 meteors per hour could be visible, offering one of the best opportunities in 2024 to enjoy this spectacular star shower.
The conditions for viewing will be particularly favorable this year, as the skies over most of Spain, including Tenerife, are forecasted to be clear, and the moon will not significantly hinder visibility.
Although the peak of the Perseids will occur between 15:00 and 18:00 on Monday, 12 August (Spanish peninsular time), the optimal viewing times will be during the night and early morning hours. The moon will be in its first quarter phase, and with the full moon not arriving until the 19th, its light is not expected to interfere much with the visibility of the meteors, as reported by eltiempo.es.
The Perseids in Tenerife: Where to Look
To best observe the Perseids, you should direct your gaze toward the northeast sky after dusk, opposite the moon to minimize its brightness. The meteors will appear to originate from the constellation Perseus, near the star Mirfak (α Persei).
To locate this radiant point, first, find the easily recognizable constellation Cassiopeia, which forms a “W” or “M” shape, depending on its orientation in the sky. From Cassiopeia, trace your gaze downwards and to the east, where the constellation Perseus will be visible. Mirfak, the brightest star in Perseus, will help you identify the area where the Perseids will seem to originate.
With these conditions and tips, Tenerife offers one of the best locations to witness the stunning Perseids meteor shower this year.
