Perseids 2026
The Perseids are the most-watched meteor shower of the year: up to 100 meteors per hour at peak, warm summer nights, and fast, bright meteors that often leave persistent trains. They are debris from comet Swift–Tuttle, which Earth crosses every August.
Moon conditions for the 2026 peak
2026 is a near-new moon year for the Perseids. The waning crescent rises just before dawn, leaving the prime midnight-to-4AM window truly dark. This is the best Perseid viewing setup since 2023.
How to watch the Perseids
- You need no equipment, because eyes beat telescopes for meteors. Lie back and take in as much sky as possible.
- Get away from city light. Even a 30-minute drive can triple your meteor count.
- Let your eyes dark-adapt for 20 minutes; one phone-screen glance resets the clock.
- The radiant rises in the northeast around 10-11 PM; rates climb all night and peak just before dawn.
- Meteors appear everywhere in the sky, so face whichever direction is darkest rather than Perseus itself.
Check your sky first:meteors don't care about clouds, but you will. Open your city's page on our live conditions indexfor tonight's hour-by-hour cloud forecast, or find a certified dark-sky site within driving distance: the single biggest upgrade to your meteor count.
Free Perseids peak sky alerts, no app required
One email when aurora conditions align at your location, plus meteor reminder and go-time emails for peaks worth watching. Web alerts cover one US location per email.
Perseids 2026: FAQ
›When do the Perseids peak in 2026?
Night of August 12–13, 2026. The shower is active July 17 – August 24, so nights within a few days of the peak still produce elevated rates, useful insurance if peak night is cloudy where you are.
›What time should I watch the Perseids?
11 PM until dawn, best 2–4 AM local time. The radiant (Constellation Perseus (northeast)) needs to be above the horizon for you to see meteors, and rates climb as it rises higher.
›How many meteors will I see during the Perseids?
The ideal-condition rate is up to 100/hour. Realistically: from a dark rural site expect a third to a half of that; from the suburbs, far fewer. 2026 is a near-new moon year for the Perseids. The waning crescent rises just before dawn, leaving the prime midnight-to-4AM window truly dark. This is the best Perseid viewing setup since 2023.
›Where do the Perseids come from?
Comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle. Each year Earth crosses the debris left along its orbit, and those particles hit our atmosphere at 59 km/s, vaporizing as the streaks we call meteors.
›Do I need a telescope for the Perseids?
No. Meteors cross large areas of sky, so unaided eyes with the widest possible view win. Bring a reclining chair, dress warmer than you think you need, and give your eyes 20 minutes to dark-adapt.