- EDITIONS:
Spanish News Today
Alicante Today
Andalucia Today
PROPERTY SEARCH
VIDEO: Fireball streaks across Spain and explodes over Murcia
The spectacular Perseid meteor shower will peak across Spain on August 12 and 13
The Perseid meteor shower, a regular visitor over the Spanish skies, is already lighting up the skies with breathtaking displays. While the shower will reach its peak between August 12 and 13, some meteors from passing comets have already begun streaking through Earth’s atmosphere, creating dazzling fireballs.
One such meteor blazed across the sky on Friday night, August 8 at 9.55pm, travelling over the Valencian Community and Castilla-La Mancha before exploding over the Region of Murcia.
According to the Astrohita Foundation, the fireball began about 116 kilometres above the town of Jarafuel in Valencia, entering the atmosphere at an astonishing speed of around 217,000 kilometres per hour.
From there it moved southwest, passing over the province of Albacete and ending its journey in a brilliant explosion about 86 kilometres above Los Arejos, in the municipality of Águilas.
Its intense brightness meant it could be seen from more than 600 kilometres away. In total, it covered about 182 kilometres in the atmosphere before completely disintegrating, leaving no fragments on the ground.
Experts have identified it as a grazing fireball, which occurs when a space rock enters the atmosphere almost tangentially, travelling along a path nearly parallel to the Earth’s surface.
This particular rock originated from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, the source of the Perseid meteor shower. Most Perseids are formed when tiny sand-sized particles from the comet enter the atmosphere, creating the familiar shooting stars. When the fragments are larger than a pea, they produce a far brighter display.
These exceptionally luminous meteors are known as bolides or fireballs, and this one was a spectacular example.
You might also like: Spain prepares for once-in-a-lifetime trio of eclipses
Image: Archive
Address
Casas del Puente 3, Cartagena, Murcia, Spain, 30397Tel: +34 623 140 902
The Astronomy and Science Centre Foundation has star-themed events and activities to delight novices and experts of all ages
Astronomy Tours runs a whole host of astronomical activities and events in the Murcia Region, from astronomical observation sessions to a magical cruise under the stars, to really fire up an interest in the cosmic world beyond our atmosphere.
Their main base of operations is the Finca Astronomica, located close to the town of La Aljorra in the Campo de Cartagena, where you can join their astronomy tours either in the daytime or at night, all year round.
At the Finca, you’re welcomed with delicious food, drinks, a bonfire and a variety of astronomical tools and gadgets. In the summer season, they also have tours in other locations, including San Pedro del Pinatar, La Manga and Camposol, not to mention their unmissable cruise under the stars, which involves a nighttime cruise on the Mar Menor with tapas and drinks, plus a guided presentation of the night sky as you watch the galaxy glide by.
The Astronomy Tours and the Finca Astronomica are supported by the Astronomy and Science Centre Foundation, which was founded in 2019 by a group of astronomers and Starlight-certified guides and monitors in the astronomical observatories in Spain.The purpose of the Foundation is to promote the knowledge and interest in the field of astronomy and astronomy-related sciences, which covers areas such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology, but also history, archeology, urban and medical aspects of social life, literature, art, culture and (of course) astrology.
By promoting this knowledge and getting their customers interested in astronomy, the Foundation hopes to achieve higher goals such as bringing the stars a little closer to people, and helping them to understand the importance of caring about our planet and the whole human population as a one.
To achieve those goals, the Foundation organises its day- and nighttime activities and camps which are suitable for both children and adults, and as well as this they work with 
schools and organisations and write books for children to bring astronomy to the masses.
schools and organisations and write books for children to bring astronomy to the masses.As part of this mission, they’re creating an astronomically themed park right on the Costa Cálida called the Astronomy and Science Centre which has an observatory available to the public to see the stars and the planets, and where they also promote ecofriendly and sustainable activities and closeness to nature.
The Finca Astronomica even has its own friendly and well cared for animals which live in really big spaces where people can easily enter and interact with them in their own environment.
What’s more, you can get involved in all sorts of other fun and activities for all the family at the Finca Astronomica, including glamping under the stars, stroking the animals at their petting zoo and enjoying sports like darts, archery, nerf gun fights, and many more.
This year, Finca Astronomica is excited to unveil its very own Yurt Village. Alongside the beautifully crafted wooden glamping pods, the yurts combine traditional charm with all the modern comforts including double beds, cosy carpets and plenty of shelving for your personal belongings.
But that’s not all. Each yurt comes handily equipped with light and electricity, so that you can charge your devices even as you recharge your spirit under the vast, starry sky.
This summer season is about to come alive with regular tours happening three days a week, while Adult Only Fridays are just around the corner.
Tours are available in English, Spanish and Polish.
