Perseid meteor shower in Croatia this week – best spots to watch

Best spots in Croatia to watch the Perseid meteor shower this week

Stargazers in Croatia, particularly in spots outside the main centres, will get the chance to catch one of the brightest and most visible meteor showers of the year this week. 

The impressive Perseid meteor shower display, known in Croatia as ‘Suze Sv. Lovre’ (Tears of St. Lawrence), is considered to be one of the most spectacular celestial displays. 

The Perseid meteor shower has been visible every year since at least 2,000 years ago. Usually up to 100 meteors per hour fall during the peak.

For the best possible experience, the Croatian Astronomical Society suggests watching on the night of 11 August and in the early hours of 12 August. It will also be possible to see on 13 August. 

With visibility clearer in less polluted areas, Places outside of the main cities in Croatia will have the best views. 

The best places to watch organised events this year if you are in Croatia, according to the Croatian Astronomical Society. The best time to see the display is from 0:30 a.m. until dawn. 

Places in Croatia with organised astronomical observations:

DARUVAR

When: 12.08. – from 21:00 do 24:00
Place: Park tamnog neba Vrani kamen – Petrov vrh
Organiser: Astronomsko društvo Kumova Slama

ĐAKOVO

When: 11.08. – from 21:00 do 24:00
Place Bajer (behind Kauflanda)
Organiser: Astronomsko društvo Orion
Date: 12. 08 from 21:00 – 24:00
Place: Strossmayerovom perivoj
Organiser: Astronomsko društvo Orion

FUŽINE

When: 13.08 from 19:00 to 24:00
Place: Roswell selo (Fužine)
Organiser: Akademsko astronomsko društvo Rijeka

KOPRIVNICA

When: 12.08 from 21:30 – 24:00
Place: Town pool Cerine
Organiser: Astronomsko društvo Koprivnica

KRIŽEVCI

When: 11.08 from 21:00 – 24:00
Place: Strossmayerov trg
When: 12.08 from 21:00 – 24:00
Place: Grass area by Technology park
Organiser: Križevačka astronomska udruga Perzeidi

LOŠINJ

When: 12.08 from 21:00 do 23:00
Place: Plaža Ridimutak (Nerezine)
Organiser: Astronomsko društvo „Leo Brenner“

RIJEKA

When: 11.08 from 21:00 – 24:00
Place: Astronomskog centra Rijeka terrace
Organiser: Akademsko astronomsko društvo Rijeka

SISAK

When: 11.08 from 22:00 – 02:00
Place: Behind Kazališta 21
When: 12.08 from 22:00 – 02:00
Place: Behind Kazališta 21
Organiser: Prirodoslovno astronomsko društvo Sisak

SPLIT

When: 12.08 from 19:30 do 01:00
Place: Zvjezdarnica on Mosor
Organiser: Zvjezdano selo Mosor

STRAŽINEC

When: 13.08 from 21:00 do 24:00
Place: Stražinec na platou
Organiser: Križevačka astronomska udruga Perzeidi

VIŠNJAN

When: 12.08 from 21:00 – 24:00
Place: Zvjezdarnica on Tičan
Organiser: Astronomsko društvo Višnjan

INSTRUCTIONS FOR OBSERVERS:

• do not look directly at the radiant (the starting point of the meteor swarm) there you will notice the least meteors

• no special equipment is required to observe meteors (telescopes, binoculars)

• Meteors are observed with the naked eye lying on the ground, and it takes at least 30 minutes in the dark for your eyes to adapt to night conditions.

• it is necessary to move away from the space where there is lighting and light pollution in the best possible darkness

• You need a mat, lounger or sleeping bag that you can lie on when observing