Bologna, August 4, 2026 – An exciting natural spectacle that surprised and amazed those who had their noses up at that moment. A meteor lit up the skies of Emilia Romagna and Marche (and beyond) last night just before 11 p.m. “The speed of these objects – explained Federico Casavecchia, graduate in Chemistry and Physics from the University of Pisa, nuclear scientist and general director of the Ancona astronomical observatory – is normally several tens of kilometers per second, corresponding to values on the order of 200,000 km/h.”
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The interview with the expert
Casavecchia, general director of the Marche amateur astronomers association, from which areas was the meteor of August 3 visible?
“The meteor of August 3 was visible from many parts of the peninsula. I saw it in Pisa. Sightings have been recorded from all over central and northern Italy.”
What speed did it have?
“The speed of these objects is normally several tens of kilometers per second, corresponding to values on the order of 200,000 km/h.”
What kind of astronomical phenomenon is it?
“The famous ‘shooting stars’ actually have nothing to do with stars. They are small rocky fragments from a few millimeters to a few centimeters (meteoroids) normally deposited along the Earth’s orbit by a comet. During its revolution, the Earth crosses these clouds of debris which then enter the atmosphere due to gravity. During the fall through the atmosphere, the meteoroid is ‘consumed’ due to friction with the air (ablation). In this phase, the chemical elements contained in the shooting star and those in the air become excited and partly ionized to produce the colors we are used to seeing.
Part of the color therefore depends on the chemical composition of the meteoroid
Part of the color therefore depends on the chemical composition of the meteoroid: sodium produces yellow tones, magnesium tends to green-blue, iron emits yellowish-white light, and calcium can give violet shades. Another part of the color is due to gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. Oxygen, for example, can produce a characteristic green or red light, while nitrogen contributes blue and violet tones. If the meteoroid is completely consumed during its descent through the atmosphere, it is called a ‘meteor’ and corresponds to the classic shooting stars. If instead it manages to reach the ground, it is called a ‘meteorite’.”
The difference between shooting stars and bolides?
“Last night many people reported a bolide, that is, an exceptionally bright meteor. A bolide, unlike normal shooting stars, is produced by a larger fragment (on the order of cm) and can illuminate the sky for several seconds. The bolide of August 3 fragmented during its entry into the atmosphere producing two very recognizable parts. At this time, being close to the peak of the Perseids, it is possible that the phenomenon is associated with this shower but before proper checks it cannot be stated with certainty. The green color that clearly developed is quite common in bolides and is mainly due to the light emitted by excited magnesium atoms present in the meteoroid, along with the contribution of oxygen in the atmosphere.”
In what period of the year is it possible to spot meteors?
“Shooting stars are actually visible throughout the year. The August shooting stars are the most famous because, besides having a high frequency of occurrence, they happen at a time of year when the sky is usually clear, allowing easier viewing of the phenomenon.”
Why do we commonly call meteors “shooting stars”?
“The term shooting stars comes from observations made by humanity since ancient times. Only in the nineteenth century, thanks to the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli, was the connection between meteor showers (shooting stars) and comets demonstrated.”
The peak of the Perseids actually occurs every year on the night between August 12 and 13
Forecasts for the shooting stars on the night of San Lorenzo?
“Contrary to what is often thought, the best time to observe the August shooting stars is not the night of San Lorenzo. The peak of the Perseids actually occurs every year on the night between August 12 and 13, when the Earth crosses the densest part of the debris cloud left by the Swift-Tuttle comet. Under ideal conditions, we can observe about one meteor per minute, but the actual number depends greatly on sky quality and light pollution. August 12, 2026, will be a particularly interesting moment because the peak of the Perseids falls on a new moon day, so the sky will be very dark and observation conditions will be optimal.”
The best places to see shooting stars?
“In areas with little light pollution, the mountains would be ideal.”
Will it be possible to see the eclipse on August 12 also in Italy?
“The peak of the shooting stars in 2026 coincides with another unmissable astronomical event, a solar eclipse. The eclipse of August 12, 2026, will definitely be visible from Italy, but it is important to clarify that it will not be a total eclipse. From our country, we will be able to admire a partial eclipse. The solar corona will not be visible, as it will be in the path of totality crossing some areas of the Atlantic and Spain.”
The Italian regions most favored for the eclipse will be the northern ones, including Emilia Romagna where the solar disk will be obscured by more than 90% (92% in Bologna)
The favored regions?
“The most favored Italian regions will be the northern ones, including Emilia Romagna where the solar disk will be obscured by more than 90% (92% in Bologna). In Marche, the phenomenon will still be visible but with lower percentages (70% in Ancona). Although it will not be a total eclipse in Italy, we will have the chance to observe a truly special phenomenon. The eclipse will end with sunset, giving us a crescent Sun slowly descending behind the horizon. For this reason, the best places to observe the eclipse are those with a completely free western horizon.”
The timings of the eclipse?
“The eclipse will begin around 7:30 p.m. and end with sunset, approximately 8:15 p.m. The Ancona Astronomical Observatory has organized a special event dedicated to the eclipse on August 12, where it will be projected and followed until sunset. The observatory is open from 5:30 p.m. to midnight to also observe the peak activity of the Perseid shooting stars.”
Best places to see the eclipse?
“A place where you can see the sunset. Free up to the horizon.”
The video that captured the meteor
A webcam in Faenza also captured the bolide, the video by Francesco Zannoni for Meteo-PedemontanaForlivese published on the Facebook page told the passage of the luminous trail. “Very bright meteor spotted from several parts in Romagna,” reads the post. And precisely on social media, the buzz of those who managed to see the meteor’s passage. It was seen from many parts of Italy, including Emilia Romagna and Marche.
Sightings in Emilia Romagna and Marche
“I saw it from the beach of Cesenatico, southwest direction just above the horizon – writes a user on Facebook – I was literally left speechless. Towards the end it split in two then ‘went out’.” “Seen very well from Sant’Agostino (Ferrara) at one point it split into two streaks. Very bright, it looked like fire,” writes another. And again: “Seen very well. Emilian Apennines”; “Seen from Forlì southwest direction; “Seen very well from Lugo”; “I from Riolo Terme”; “Spotted in Parma”; “Seen from Vicenza.” And from Marche: “Beautiful!!! I with my nephew from Porto San Giorgio (Fermo, ed.)”. Some write from Sardinia, others from Liguria and Tuscany.
Waiting for the Night of San Lorenzo
Those who were lucky enough to spot it during a walk, at the sea or in a moment of relaxation maybe sitting comfortably watching the beauty of the August sky, experienced a strong emotion for a moment and maybe even made a wish. Anticipating a bit the 2026 shooting stars night (Night of San Lorenzo, Monday August 10) much awaited during the summer, during which some dream with their eyes open between the passage of a bolide and the hope that a dream left in the drawer will come true.
