The peak of the Perseid meteor shower was expected in the northern hemisphere. The optimal viewing time, as promised to Kazakhstanis, was from 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. However, so many people wanted to see the "falling stars" that even at night Almaty residents faced traffic jams, reports infohub.kz.
On social media, residents shared photos and videos showing a continuous stream of cars heading towards the Almarasan Gorge last night. Many sought to get out of the city to enjoy the spectacle.
In comments, users said the meteor shower was clearly visible from Lake Issyk. They also advised hiking overnight to Chimbulak Mountain or heading to the Butakovsky Gorge.
Some stopped at the observation deck "Zvezdnaya Polyana" (Star Glade), before reaching the Almarasan eco-post. However, there were too many cars there, and not all turned off their headlights, which hindered observation due to bright lighting. Cars were parked so tightly that a traffic jam formed at the exit.
Earlier, Kursiv LifeStyle reported on the cost of paid tours for stargazing in the Almaty mountains. The most popular route was the Assa Plateau, with tours starting from 17,000 tenge. There were other offers as well.