Perseids 2026: The Meteor Shower You Can’t Miss!
The Perseids are usually the most popular meteor shower of the year, lighting up warm August nights with swift, bright streaks of light. In 2026, they’re set to peak around August 12–13, and the timing is great: a New Moon on August 12 means dark skies right when we want them. Read on to learn how to watch the Perseids this year — and use the Sky Tonight app to pinpoint prime viewing hours where you are.
Contents
- Perseids 2026: When and where to see
- How to see the Perseid meteor shower?
- What causes the Perseid meteor shower?
- The legend behind the Perseids: Fiery tears of St. Lawrence
- Perseids 2026: Bottom line
Perseids 2026: When and where to see
- Active: July 17 – August 24
- Peak of activity: August 12–13
- Meteors/hour: Up to 100
- Moon illumination: 0%
- Radiant location: Perseus
- Parent body: Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle
- Best visible from: Mid-northern latitudes
- Description: The Perseids are probably the most beloved meteor shower of the year. Famous for high meteor rates and occasional fireballs, they can turn a dark August night into a celestial fireworks show.
Perseids 2026: Visibility forecast
This year is one of those pretty rare ones when the Moon stays out of the way during the Perseids peak. The sky will be exceptionally dark, so you’ll have an excellent chance of catching not only the bright meteors, but also the fainter ones that usually vanish in moonlight.
What time is the Perseid meteor shower in 2026?
The Perseids are active from July 17 to August 24, but the best display comes around August 12–13. In 2026, the broad peak will likely stretch from August 12, 21:00 GMT to August 13, 09:00 GMT, with the highest meteor rates expected on August 13, from 02:00 to 04:00 GMT.
For most observers, the sweet spot is the late night to pre-dawn hours, when the radiant in Perseus is highest. If you can, watch on both nights (August 12 and 13) — the Perseids sometimes show extra activity 0.7–1.5 days after the main maximum.
Where can I see the Perseids?
The Perseids are best observed at mid-northern latitudes. There, the meteor shower’s radiant rises high in the sky around 22:30 local time. Unfortunately, the Perseid meteor shower cannot be properly seen from most parts of the Southern Hemisphere.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Perseid meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, but their path can be traced back to the constellation Perseus – that’s why they are called the Perseids. Within the constellation, there is a certain point where the meteors seem to come from. This point is called the radiant. The higher the radiant rises, the more meteors you see. To catch as many “shooting stars” as possible, target your observations around the time when the radiant is high in the sky.
To find out how high the radiant is in the sky above you, use the Sky Tonight app. Just type “Perseids” in the search bar, tap the blue target icon, and the app will show you the radiant’s current position. You can also use the Time Machine in the upper part of the screen to determine when the radiant is highest in your location. Watch the Sky Tonight video guide to learn more.
You can also locate the Perseids' radiant using Star Walk 2. This app is beginner-friendly and has amazing 3D graphics. Learn how to use the app in our Star Walk 2 tutorial.
How to see the Perseid meteor shower?
We’ve gathered some tips to help you catch the best view of the meteors. With the proper preparation, the Perseids 2026 will bring you an unforgettable stargazing experience. Also, use our infographic on meteor showers as a quick reference: there, you’ll find these tips in the form of colorful illustrations.
Dos:
- Start your observations when the radiant is highest in the sky — that’s when you’ll likely see the most meteors. The Sky Tonight app will help you locate the radiant and determine the best time for viewing.
- Find a place with a dark sky, away from the city lights: there are ten times fewer meteors visible in the city. An even better option would be to go up in the mountains, where haze and clouds are below the observer.
- Give this breathtaking event at least an hour of your time to see as many meteors as possible.
- Bring a deck chair or a camp cot to lie on. You can also use a mat, but your head needs to be raised so that the blood doesn’t rush there. Otherwise, you’ll start to feel sleepy very soon.
Don'ts:
- Don’t look directly at the radiant, as there will be mostly short meteors.
- Don’t look low above the horizon either — there might be haze or clouds.
- Don’t make a fire or turn on bright flashlights. The bright light won’t allow your eyes to adapt to the darkness, so you won’t be able to see a significant part of the meteors. Better bring a flashlight with a red light instead — this light is more comfortable at night. Also, don’t forget to turn on the Night Mode in your stargazing app — it uses red tones that preserve your night vision.
- Don’t gaze up for 1 hour straight; make 5-10 minute breaks. This way, you’ll be able to stay focused and give your eyes a rest.
Do you want even more useful meteor-hunting tips? Take our quiz and learn how to spot shooting stars like a pro!
What causes the Perseid meteor shower?
Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through a trail of debris left by a comet or asteroid (in some special cases). Each meteor shower has a parent body; for the Perseids, it is the large periodic comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Although it returns to the inner Solar System roughly every 133 years, we observe the Perseids annually because the Earth crosses the comet’s trail every year.
Will Comet Swift-Tuttle hit the Earth?
The last time comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle passed near the Earth was in 1992, and it is predicted to return in 2126. An astronomer who was calculating its orbit once proposed that it might potentially collide with our planet in 2126. However, subsequent refinements have indicated that the comet will not pose a threat.
Do Perseid meteors hit the Earth?
The Perseid meteors are basically cometary debris: tiny particles of dust and ice. They are fragile and disintegrate upon entering the atmosphere. Almost none of them reach the ground, but if one does, it's called a meteorite. Want to know the difference between a meteorite and a meteoroid? Take our space rocks quiz!
The legend behind the Perseids: Fiery tears of St. Lawrence
The Perseids’ peak closely coincides with the feast day of Saint Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was executed on August 10, 258 AD. Lawrence was said to have been roasted alive on a gridiron, which is why he is often depicted in art holding a gridiron or being shown in flames. Legend has it that during his execution, he displayed remarkable courage and composure, even telling his executioners to turn him over, as he was done on one side. To this day, in some Catholic traditions, Perseids’ meteors are known as “the tears of St. Lawrence”.
Perseids 2026: Bottom line
The Perseids peak on August 12–13, 2026, and the New Moon makes this a fantastic year for viewing. If you’re in the mid-northern latitudes, plan to watch in the late evening on the peak night — and keep an eye out for bright fireballs that make Perseids famous.
Download Sky Tonight to get an interactive sky map and handy astronomical calendar rolled into one. Also, check our social media for some extra stargazing content. Wish you clear skies and good meteor hunting!
