Perseid meteor showers peak with up to 100 shooting stars
The Perseid meteor showers are active now through Aug. 24, with peak viewing overnight Aug. 12–13. Under clear, dark skies, skywatchers could see up to 100 shooting stars per hour. A new moon will keep skies darker than usual, making this one of the best displays in years for summer stargazers.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Perseid meteor showers run from July 17 to Aug. 24 and peak overnight Aug. 12–13.
- Observers under dark skies may see up to 100 meteors per hour, plus bright fireballs.
- A new moon during the peak means darker skies and better chances to spot faint meteors.
- Best views come after midnight through predawn from a dark site away from city lights.
- No telescope is needed—just clear skies and time for your eyes to adjust.
One of the year’s most popular sky shows is back. Earth is again passing through debris left by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, lighting up August nights with fast, bright meteors. Fans of late-night spectacle can also catch more Celebrity Breaking News while waiting for the next streak.
When do the Perseid meteor showers peak in 2026?
The shower is already underway and lasts through Aug. 24. The busiest night is expected from Aug. 12 into Aug. 13, when Earth hits the densest part of the debris stream.
That timing lines up with a new moon, so moonlight will not wash out fainter shooting stars. FOX Weather notes this year’s peak could be among the best in years for that reason. The peak also falls just hours after a total solar eclipse visible from parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.
How many shooting stars can you really see?
Under ideal dark skies, the American Meteor Society expects up to about 100 meteors per hour at peak, according to Space.com and FOX Weather. The BBC notes that in the densest parts of the stream, rates of up to 150 per hour are possible.
The Perseids are also known for fireballs—especially bright meteors that can briefly light the sky. Larger debris can slam into the atmosphere at speeds of up to 37 miles per second (59 km/s), Space.com reports, citing NASA figures.
Where should you look to catch Perseids?
Meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, which is why they are called Perseids, though streaks can flash anywhere across the sky. In the Northern Hemisphere, midnight to about an hour before sunrise offers the strongest odds.
Head away from streetlights, give your eyes 15 to 30 minutes to adapt, and skip phone screens. You do not need binoculars or a telescope—just a wide, unobstructed view. For more viewing guidance, see the BBC’s 2026 Perseid guide.
U.S. viewers may spot meteors from about 10 p.m. onward, but rates climb as the radiant rises higher before dawn. Clear weather remains the make-or-break factor wherever you watch.