About Perseid Meteor Shower Peak
The Perseids are the most beloved meteor shower of the year, peaking around the night of August 12–13 with up to 100 meteors per hour under dark skies. The countdown above tracks the time until the next peak — the warm-summer-night sky show that turns everyone into a stargazer.
The shower happens as Earth plows through the debris trail of comet Swift–Tuttle, a 26-kilometer giant that loops past every 133 years. Each "shooting star" is a sand-grain-sized fragment hitting the atmosphere at 59 km/s, flaring into a streak of light — the Perseids are famous for fast, bright meteors and spectacular fireballs that can outshine Venus.
Viewing needs no equipment: find the darkest sky you can, lie back facing roughly northeast after about 10 PM (the later the better, with the hours before dawn best), give your eyes 20 minutes to adapt, and be patient. The radiant sits in the constellation Perseus, but meteors appear anywhere overhead. Activity actually runs from mid-July to late August, so the nights around the peak are well worth watching too.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Wednesday, August 12, 2026next |
| 2027 | Thursday, August 12, 2027 |
| 2028 | Saturday, August 12, 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday, August 12, 2029 |
| 2030 | Monday, August 12, 2030 |
FAQ
When do the Perseids peak?
Around the night of August 12–13 every year — the countdown above targets the next peak night.
How many meteors will I see?
Up to 100 per hour under perfectly dark skies at peak; expect fewer with light pollution or moonlight, but the Perseids' bright fireballs cut through.
What causes the Perseid meteor shower?
Debris from comet Swift–Tuttle burning up in the atmosphere as Earth crosses its orbital trail each August.
What is the best time to watch?
From late evening to dawn, with the pre-dawn hours best. No telescope needed — dark skies and patience are everything.