Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Aug. 12-13 Under Dark New Moon
The annual Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak on Aug. 12-13, offering up to 100 meteors per hour in dark skies as the new moon provides optimal viewing conditions.
The Perseid meteor shower, caused by debris from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, will be active from July 17 through Aug. 24, with the highest activity expected during the peak on Aug. 12 and Aug. 13. Astronomers say observers under clear, dark conditions could see as many as 100 meteors per hour, including bright fireballs. The timing coincides with a new moon, which reduces background light and improves visibility of fainter meteors. The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, though they are visible across much of the night sky. Experts advise viewing from locations away from city lights, allowing eyes to adapt for 20–30 minutes, and avoiding screen use. The peak occurs a few hours after a total solar eclipse visible from parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain, with a partial eclipse also visible across portions of Europe and North America.