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When Are the Perseids? Peak Around August 12–13

The Perseids are active from about mid-July to late August, and they usually peak around August 12–13 each year. The best viewing is in dark skies after midnight. The exact peak time and the Moon’s brightness change from year to year, so check a current calendar.

Quick answer

The Perseids are active roughly from mid-July through late August. The peak night is usually around August 12–13. The precise timing shifts slightly every year, so check the meteor calendar for the current season.

Where they come from

The Perseids appear when Earth passes through a stream of dust grains left behind by comet Swift–Tuttle. The grains hit the atmosphere at high speed and burn up as bright streaks. The shower is named after the constellation Perseus, where its radiant (the point the meteors seem to spread from) lies. For the general phenomenon, see Meteor showers; for this one, see Perseids.

How to watch

• Find a spot away from city lights; see light pollution.
• The best hours are after midnight and before dawn, when the radiant is high.
• You need no binoculars or telescope. A reclining chair and 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adapt are enough.
• Look at a wide patch of sky rather than staring straight at Perseus.
• The Moon matters: a bright one washes out faint meteors. See Moon phases.

Many cultures treat shooting stars as a moment for a quiet wish. It is a lovely tradition, separate from the science of the shower.

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