July 17 – August 24 · Perseus
Perseids
The Northern Hemisphere's favourite
See the Perseids from your location
See the exact local peak time and how high the radiant climbs from where you are.
What is the Perseids meteor shower?
The most-watched shower of the year up north — warm August nights, up to a hundred bright, fast meteors an hour, and frequent fireballs from the giant comet Swift–Tuttle.
When do the Perseids peak in 2026?
The Perseids peak on the night of August 12, 2026. Under ideal dark skies with the radiant high overhead they can produce up to 100 meteors an hour — the number you'll actually see depends on your latitude, the moon, and how dark your sky is.
Perseids at a glance
Where the Perseids come from
The Perseids are debris shed by 109P/Swift–Tuttle, a comet. Each year the Earth ploughs through this ancient trail of dust and the specks burn up in our atmosphere as meteors.
How to watch the Perseids
Get away from city lights
Light pollution is the enemy. A dark rural sky can turn a handful of meteors into dozens.
Look up after midnight
Most showers are best between midnight and dawn, when your side of Earth turns to face the debris stream head-on.
Let your eyes adapt
Give your eyes 20 minutes in the dark and put the phone away. Then just watch — meteors can streak across any part of the sky.
Common questions about the Perseids
When do the Perseids peak in 2026?+
The Perseids reach their maximum on the night of August 12, 2026, though a few meteors are visible from July 17 – August 24.
Where should I look to see the Perseids?+
The meteors radiate from the constellation Perseus, but they streak across the whole sky — you don't need to find the radiant. Just face the darkest part of your sky and take in as much of it as you can.
Do I need a telescope to watch the Perseids?+
No. Meteor showers are a naked-eye event — a telescope's narrow view would only work against you. All you need is a dark sky, a reclining chair, and some patience.
What causes the Perseids?+
The Perseids happen when Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by 109P/Swift–Tuttle. The dust grains hit our atmosphere at 59 km/s and burn up as bright streaks of light.
Other meteor showers
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