Perseid Meteor Shower to Peak Across U.S. in Mid-August

The annual Perseid meteor shower is set to reach its peak between the night of August 12 and the early morning hours of August 13, offering skywatchers across the United States the chance to observe up to 100 meteors per hour, particularly in areas with minimal light pollution.

The Perseids are visible from mid-July to late August, but this year's peak display is expected to begin around 11 p.m. local time on August 12 and continue until dawn. The meteor shower occurs as Earth passes through debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle, with the fragments burning up in the atmosphere and creating bright streaks across the sky. These meteors are typically the size of a grain of sand and rarely reach the ground.

The event is most easily observed from the Northern Hemisphere but can also be seen in mid-southern latitudes. Observers are advised to seek out wide, open areas away from artificial lights for the best view. According to NASA, the meteors appear to radiate from the Perseus constellation, which can be located by first finding the Cassiopeia constellation. No telescopes or binoculars are necessary, though it is recommended to allow about 30 minutes for eyes to adjust to the darkness.

The Perseid meteor shower is an annual August event, and experts note that in 2028, the shower is expected to intensify into an even more dramatic meteor storm.