Despite persistent rain and fog blanketing much of the predawn sky, observers successfully recorded 8 meteors during a focused one-hour window.

Beyond meteor counting, the activities also featured sky quality measurements and general skywatching.

With the Perseids nearing their peak, astronomy enthusiasts are encouraged to begin early observations. Meteors are now already visible under clear skies, especially with minimal interference from moonlight.

SUMMARY

● Early Viewing Recommended: The Perseid meteor shower peaks around August 12–13, 2025, but a bright full Moon will hinder visibility. Observers are encouraged to watch between July 29 and August 5, when moonlight is minimal and skies are darker.

● Meteor Origins and Activity: The Perseids result from Earth passing through debris from Comet Swift–Tuttle. Meteors can reach rates of 50–75 per hour under ideal conditions, though moonlight may reduce this by up to 75%.

● Optimal Viewing Tips: Best viewing is after midnight in rural or elevated areas with clear horizons. Allow 20–30 minutes for eyes to adjust. No telescopes needed!

Bandar Seri Begawan – Every August, the Perseid meteor shower graces the night skies in Brunei Darussalam with swift streaks of cosmic light. But in 2025, nature throws in an extra twist – you’ll want to plan around.

Although the Perseids peak around August 12–13, this year’s show clashes with a bright full Moon. Its glow is expected to significantly diminish visibility due to its intense brightness. Enthusiasts are encouraged to seize this pre-peak window to fully appreciate the brilliance and wonder of the Perseid meteor shower before lunar conditions become prohibitive.

▲ Perseids meteor shower peaks in mid-August, when Earth intersects the dust cloud left by comet Swift-Tuttle (Illustration: IMO)

The Perseids are active from July 14 to September 1. They occur as Earth intersects the orbital path of 109P/Comet Swift–Tuttle, whose debris trail comprises minute fragments of ice and rock. As these particles enter Earth’s atmosphere at high velocities, they disintegrate, producing luminous streaks known as meteors. According to the International Meteor Organization (IMO), normal rates of Perseids seen from rural locations are ranging from 50-75 showers per hour at maximum. But because of the presence of the Full Moon, the resultant sky brightness is expected to diminish meteor counts by up to 75 percent, limiting observation primarily to the brightest meteors.

▲ A bright Perseid meteor during Meteor Shower Camp in Tutong, Brunei Darussalam, on August 10, 2019 (Photo by PABD)

The radiant, or apparent point of origin, lies in the constellation Perseus, from which the meteor shower derives its name. Online star charts by BruneiAstronomy is available here to determine the location in the night sky of Perseus, which means Bearer of the Demon’s Head, from Brunei.

To optimize the viewing experience, it is strongly recommended that observers plan their stargazing sessions during the nights preceding the peak. This year, watch in the days before the peak on around end of July through first week of August (from July 29 until August 5), when moonlight is minimal and meteors zip through darker skies. The Moon will be less dominant in the early predawn sky during these dates, allowing darker conditions conducive to meteor visibility.

Hence, observers may witness a greater number of meteors unobscured by lunar glare. Refer to this schedule for detailed information on the moon’s rise and set times, along with its current illumination phase. A higher illumination value indicates a brighter moon, which contributes to greater sky glow – potentially reducing visibility of fainter meteors.

▲ 2024 ZHR Perseids meteor chart which shows the number of meteors an observer would see under a very dark sky in July and August (by IMO)

For meteor shower watch, observations are most favorable after midnight until dawn, when the radiant ascends higher in the northeastern sky. It is best to select a site distant from artificial lighting, such as rural or elevated locations with unobstructed views of the horizon. When arrive at your stargazing spot, allocate 20 to 30 minutes for eyes to acclimate to the darkness, and make sure to equip yourself with comfortable seating, suitable attire, and necessary provisions such as mosquito repellent etc.

Although the full Moon presents a challenge during the Perseid peak, early viewing offers an exceptional opportunity to witness one of nature’s most remarkable spectacles. These meteors, remnants of a comet last recorded approach in 1992, underscore Earth’s continual interaction with our dynamic solar system.

One of the brighter meteor showers will light up Brunei skies – the Perseids are coming soon this week.

They occur every year and visible between July 17 and August 24. Perseids tend to peak around August 12-13, between midnight till dawn. And this year 2021, the new moon phase will keep the night sky naturally dark, which is a prime time to observe the meteor.

Perseid meteors are made of tiny space debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle that briskly burnt in our atmosphere upon entry producing spectacular light shows or “shooting stars”. The Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus because the direction, or radiant, lies in the same direction as the constellation.

As our country is back under strict movement restrictions due to recent COVID-19 outbreak, it is still the best time to enjoy the celestial display from your home.

How to Watch Spectacular Meteor Showers from Home

Weather permitting and depending on your location, Perseid meteor observer can see 60 to 100 meteors in an hour from a dark place.

While meteor showers are best seen in the darkest places, those living from the urban areas may still see the bright ones from your back gardens, balconies or rooftops.

For those living in rural areas in Brunei will have the advantageous spots to observe the spectacular displays from their backyards or gardens. These observers will see more stars and meteors thanks to the lower level of light pollution.

There is no special equipment to view a meteor shower. From your home, ensure to minimise the light in your vicinity, and follow these simple steps:

Find a viewing spot with an unobstructed view of the night sky outside your home.
To maximise your shooting star experience, you may need to turn off most of you house lights or look away from any bright lights.
Lie down on the ground and look up towards the Northeast direction.
Share your astronomy at home and observation on your preferred social media by tagging us #bruneiastronomy

Stay at home, stay safe. Clear skies!

Bandar Seri Begawan – Members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) have caught glimpse of shooting stars in the night skies above the Temburong, despite of the clouds, as the annual Perseids meteor shower intensified last night, August 12, 2020.

The meteor shower of the year was expected to reach its peak Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with the best viewing expected just before dawn. But this year’s shower was accompanied by a last quarter moon, making our sky less for ideal meteor viewing.

And for many parts around Brunei Darussalam, the clouds obscured the most popular celestial light shows. Despite of the moonlight interference and cloudy sky last night, meteor observers had spotted 5 bright meteors and fireballs of the Perseid.

The meteor shower observation was attended by a group of 17 members of PABD which was held in Sumbiling Eco -Village, Temburong.

The event consisted of a video conferencing with other amateur astronomers from regional Persatuan Astronomi dan Falak Negeri Kelantan and the Sabah Stargazers to update meteor shower observation outcomes and exchanging ideas about astronomy.

Earlier in the evening, there were Milky Way hunting activity and stargazing with bright Jupiter and Saturn planets on the spotlight. The observation site offered a good view of the glowing white band of starlight of our galaxy.

Last night’s event came to an end with a spectacular pre-sunrise celestial pairing of the the half moon passed close to the star cluster Pleiades (or Seven Sisters) in the constellation Taurus.

One of the brighter meteor showers of the year – the Perseids are coming soon!

They occur every year and visible between July 17 and August 24 . Perseids tend to peak around August 9-13, after midnight.

Depending on your location and sky condition, Perseid meteor observer can see 60 to 100 meteors in an hour from a dark place.

Perseid Meteors are made of tiny space debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle that briskly burnt in our atmosphere upon entry producing spectacular light shows.

The Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus because the direction, or radiant, lies in the same direction as the constellation.

The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam will hold a special meteor shower observation for its members:

Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2020
Time: 7 pm–5.30 am (Meteor peak from midnight 12 am around 11-12-13 Aug)
Venue: Temburong

Fees: $25 for BBQ & entrance (open space, tea, dinner & camp) for PABD Members only
Optional: Additional $40 per person (check-in per night)
Activities: 100+ meteors per hour, planets observation/imaging, stargazing and informal meet-up + BBQ
Register (PABD members only): www.bruneiastronomy.org/join
Contact: Husaini +673 815 8392

A total of 46 shooting stars were recorded from 11 pm until 3 am, which averaging about 12 meteors per hour rate last night.

The Perseid Meteor Shower is perhaps the most beloved meteor shower of the year. The shower builds gradually to a peak, often produces 50 to 100 meteors per hour in a dark sky at the peak, around August 12 – 13. However, the nearly full moon block out most of the fainter meteors during the camp last night, and mostly only the bright ones could be seen.

Perseid is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle remnants, which was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24.

Here are some pictures of the stargazing, Campfire and BBQ activities from last night:

Perseids adalah diambil sempena buruj Perseus, “Si Pahlwan”, dari mana juraian meteor tadi berpusat. Pada awal bulan Ogos ia akan terbit dari sebelah timur laut pada tengah malam dari negara Brunei.

Pancuran meteor Perseids pada kebiasaannya bermula dari 23 Julai sehingga 22 Ogos setiap tahun. Akan tetapi pada 11 atau 12 haribulan, pada tarikh tadi juraian meteor sangat aktif dan seseorang boleh melihat sehingga lebih 50 butiran meteor dalam masa sejam. Sekali gus ia memberi peluang kepada peminat cakerawala untuk menyaksikan kejadian yang menarik itu.

Persatuan Astronomi Negara Brunei Darussalam tidak melepaskan peluang untuk membuat cerapan fenomena juraian meteor Perseids. Cerapan telah pun diadakan bermula pada pukul 11 malam pada 11 Ogos di kawasan lapang Bukit Agok, Tutong. Hadir pada cerapan tersebut ialah Yang Di-Pertua PABD dan ahli-ahli persatuan astronomi. Turut hadir bersama ialah pegawai-pegawai dari Jabatan Ukur dan segelintir orang awam.

Dari hasil cerapan menggunakan mata kasa yang telah dibuat pada sekitar pukul 2 pagi itu telah mendapati lebih 6 butir meteor yang boleh dilihat dalam masa setengah jam. Kebanyakannya begitu terang dan bergerak dengan kecepatan yang tinggi. Jumlah butiran yang sedikit dari yang dijangkakan itu mungkin disebabkan oleh keadaan yang berawan dan sedikit berjerebu dari tempat cerpan.

Di samping menyaksikan juraian meteor, kehadiran bulan sabit tua yang berada hampir dengan planet Zuhrah di langit pada awal pagi tadi turut menjadi tumpuan mereka yang hadir. Cerapan tamat sekitar jam 5:30 pagi tadi.