The Delta Aquarids star shower is an astronomical phenomenon that arrives every summer around August to brighten up the hot nights with one of the most beautiful spectacles that the sky offers us on clear summer nights.
The phenomenon occurs because some small meteors (meteoroids) penetrate the atmosphere at high speed, colliding with the air molecules in the atmosphere, disintegrating and producing a strong and brief luminosity that can be observed from Earth.
When will it be possible to see the star shower in Barcelona?
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The Perseids show will be visible this year throughout the northern hemisphere during the second week of August, according to information from the International Meteor Organization (IMO), although some nights can already be observed faintly, depending on light pollution. It is precisely this wide time window that has made the Perseids one of the best known and most popular phenomena, according to the Astronomy Department of the National Geographic Institute (IGN).
However, according to the experts of the Parc Astronòmic del Montser, this meteor shower began around July 17 and will end on August 24.
The peak will be the dawn of August 12 to 13, when it will be the most intense moment. The theoretical maximum occurs at 04:38 h (peninsular), although estimates also speak of 22:00 h on the 12th as the key time.
Black Moon on August 23
On August 23, the Black Moon offers the darkest sky of the summer, the perfect excuse to see the Tears of St. Lawrence for the last time. This Friday, meteors from the Swift-Tuttle comet will be more visible than ever: look up and catch a shooting star.
How many meteors will you see?
Under ideal conditions, up to 100 meteors per hour can be seen. However, this year’s Gibbous Waning Moon (83%) will light up the sky and reduce the number visible, leaving the brightest meteors, or fireballs, to take center stage.
Where to see the Perseids 2025 in Barcelona?
To see the Delta Aquarids from Barcelona, it is necessary to look towards the southern part of the sky, the place where the constellation Aquarius is located. They can be seen with the naked eye, without the need of a telescope or any other special instrument, whose use in this case may even be counterproductive. What is necessary is to be in a place away from light pollution.
Collserola is probably the best location to see them near Barcelona, but some elevated locations may allow you to do it without leaving the city. The Bunkers del Carmel, Tibidabo and Park Güell are some of the places in the city that offer good views. Within the metropolitan region, the most suitable sites are the Garraf massif, Montserrat, Sant Llorenç del Munt, the Ordal mountains and Montseny.
However, the best way to appreciate all the beauty of the Perseids is to flee from the city. The most absurd stairs with the best views of Catalonia, in Montserrat (and all of Montserrat, in general), are a great option. Other nearby outings, such as the mountains of the Parc Natural del Montseny or the Parc de Collserola also work.
Tips for an unforgettable experience
Perfect time to see them: from dusk (approx. 22:00 h) until dawn. The best time is always when the moon is low or hidden.
Look for dark skies: stay away from light pollution. In Catalonia, some of the best sites include the Montsec Astronomical Park (Lleida), the Montseny, the Costa Brava (Cap de Creus, Aiguablava) or the Ebro Delta (Tarragona).
Visual adaptation: let 30 minutes pass without looking at screens, avoid using mobile devices at night and lie down comfortably focusing is essential.
Make the observation “far away” from the Moon: if it is high, move away with a rock or building that blocks it from your vision; this way you will see better the fainter meteors.