Peak rate
100
meteors per hour at peak
UpcomingJul 17 – Aug 24
The Perseids
The most popular shower; warm summer nights, reliable rates.
Peak: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Countdown to peak
106days
Velocity
59
km/s entering atmosphere
Radiant
Perseus
Look here
Best for
North
hemisphere
Where to look
Meteors radiate outward from a single point on the sky. Face Perseus, then keep the radiant in your peripheral vision.
RA 48°right ascension
Dec +42°declination
Northern skyfavours north
Where it comes from
Parent body
Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle
The comet or asteroid whose dust Earth passes through each year.
First recorded
36
Earliest documented observation.
Entry velocity
59 km/s
Speed at which meteoroids hit the atmosphere.
How to watch
Radiant
Perseus
The apparent point of origin — meteors streak outward from here.
Best viewing time
After midnight until dawn
When the radiant is highest above the horizon.
Hemisphere
Northern — best from Europe, N. America, Asia
Latitude bands that see the highest rates.
Did you know
Known as the 'Tears of St. Lawrence' since medieval times — August 10 was his feast day. Many fireballs.
Watching guide
Tailored for the Perseids.
- 1Get away from city lights
Light pollution hides most meteors. A rural or dark-sky site boosts your count by 5× or more.
- 2Dark-adapt for 20–30 minutes
Your eyes need time to reach peak sensitivity. No phone screens during this window — use a red flashlight if needed.
- 3Aim for the best time: after midnight until dawn
Earth turns into the debris stream during these hours, so meteors hit head-on and appear more frequent.
- 4No telescope, no binoculars
Meteors appear all over the sky — you want the widest view possible. A reclining chair and a blanket are better tools than optics.
Next shower after Perseids
Eta Aquariids · peaks May 6