Don’t Miss the Perseid Meteor Shower 2026

Perseids Plus Totality For Some

Good news, meteor shower fans: the 2026 Perseids peak on August 12–13, under a New Moon—the ideal lunar phase for watching shooting stars.

But this New Moon has something special in store. On August 12, the Moon will also pass directly in front of the Sun, creating a total solar eclipse visible along a path that crosses parts of Russia, Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. It will be the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999.

That means skywatchers in the right places could experience two spectacular sky events in a single day: totality in the daytime, followed by one of the year’s best meteor showers after dark.

And even if you’re outside the path of totality, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across much of Europe, northwestern Africa, and parts of northern North America. For many skywatchers, August 12 could bring a memorable double sky-watching event.

When to See the Perseid Meteor Shower

The Perseid meteor shower is active from July 17 to August 24. However, the peak on August 12–13 is likely your best bet for spotting shooting stars. Plus, with no bright Moon to wash out the sky, the peak dates offer especially favorable conditions this year.

While the shower builds gradually from mid-July until around August 12, the number of meteors drops off fairly quickly after the peak. So, if you’re viewing later in August, expect fewer meteors.

The best chance of spotting the Perseids is after midnight, usually just before dawn when the radiant is highest in the sky, and Earth is rotating into the debris stream left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle—the parent comet to the Perseids.

If you’re an early riser, head out in the pre-dawn hours on August 12 or 13, when the Perseids are likely to be more active. And if you’re in the eclipse path, you could start August 12 with shooting stars, experience totality by day, and return for more meteors after dark.

Where to See the Perseids

Most people in the Northern Hemisphere have a good chance of seeing the shooting stars of the Perseids as the radiant is high in the northern sky. They can sometimes be spotted in the Southern Hemisphere too.

During a meteor shower, all of the meteors seem to originate from the same area of the sky; this point is called the radiant. For the Perseids, the radiant is located in the constellation Perseus, which is how the Perseid meteor shower got its name.

Even though the meteors appear to come from the radiant, they can be seen in any part of the night sky.

What to Expect

While the Perseids are often listed with a zenithal hourly rate, or ZHR, of around 100 meteors per hour, the International Meteor Organization (IMO) expects lower rates in 2026, since models predict Earth will pass through a sparser patch in the debris stream.

According to the IMO, the ZHR is expected to be around 30–50 in 2026, which is still good for spotting shooting stars. However, the number you actually see can be reduced by local conditions such as cloud cover and light pollution.

Luckily, the Perseids are known for producing bright, fast-moving meteors, often with long trails and occasional fireballs—very bright meteors. So even just a handful of Perseids can make the wait worthwhile.

Another thing to look out for with the Perseids is their color. Some meteors flash yellow, while others leave behind streaks of orange, red, green, or even blue. The colors depend on the type of material burning up—and the way it interacts with the atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions