The Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the year’s most anticipated astronomical events, dazzling skywatchers each summer when Earth passes through a trail of debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. This year, the shower runs from July 17 to August 24, with its peak on the night of August 12–13.
Unfortunately, a bright Full Moon on August 9 will wash out some of the fainter meteors during the peak, but there are still plenty of opportunities to catch this cosmic show.
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Best Viewing Dates and Times
While the August 12–13 peak is the traditional highlight, bright moonlight will reduce visibility. Astronomers recommend alternative dates such as late July or the weekend of August 16–17, when the Moon will be in its Third Quarter phase, allowing darker skies.
“The best chance of spotting the Perseids is after midnight, usually just before dawn,” explained Dr. Renate Mauland-Hus, an astrophysicist at timeanddate.com. “After midnight, Earth turns into the debris stream—causing more meteor activity.”
