Tonight, Monday 12 August, the «Bésame en el Mar» viewpoint in the Playas de Manilva Ecological Reserve will become a natural planetarium. The Environment department, headed by Noelia Muñoz, invites all residents to take part in a family stargazing workshop.
During the activity, astronomy experts will guide attendees on a tour of the night sky, helping them to identify constellations, planets and other celestial bodies.
The Perseids, known as shooting stars, are simply a meteor shower that occurs every year around this time. Summer is one of the best seasons to see them clearly across the whole of the northern hemisphere.
The Perseids are also known as the tears of St Lawrence because they occur close to the feast day of the Spanish martyr of the same name, which is commemorated on 10 August each year.
These meteors can reach 50 kilometres per second, and there can be as many as 200 per hour. They can be seen from 17 July until 24 August, although not with as much activity as between 11 and 13 August each year. They occur because they are fragments of rock which, through friction with the gases in the atmosphere, burn up and leave a flash of light until they disintegrate, and they are visible from the earth.
Recommendations:
To see the stars, it is very important to come relaxed and be patient. You can bring a blanket or towel to lie on while you wait, or use a comfortable chair. You should not use your mobile phone or anything that gives off light, so that your eyes can adapt to the darkness.
Programme:
- 20:30 Astronomy workshop
- 21:30 Dinner (it is recommended to bring a sandwich and something to drink)
- 22:00 Stargazing
Location:
Activity venue: «Playas de Manilva» Ecological Reserve. Meeting point: «Bésame en el mar» viewpoint — You can see the exact location by clicking here.—
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