Topline
The annual Perseid meteor shower — one of 2026’s celestial highlights — officially begins today, kicking off one of the most anticipated astronomical events of the year. Active from July 17 through August 24, the Perseids are renowned for producing bright, fast-moving meteors and spectacular fireballs as Earth passes through debris left behind in the inner solar system by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. While meteors will be visible throughout the coming weeks, all eyes will be on the night of August 12-13, when the shower reaches its peak under what astronomers say could be near-perfect viewing conditions.
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A Summer Favorite For Stargazers
The Perseids are among the most dependable meteor showers of the year. For 2026, the timing is perfect, with a new moon ensuring exceptionally dark skies during the peak. “It happens in the middle of the summer in the Northern Hemisphere, so it’s warm and it’s nice to sit outside, as opposed to the Geminids during mid-December,” said Dr. Nick Moskovitz at Lowell Observatory in an interview. “It’s a nice activity to do near the end of the summer — and it’s an incredibly reliable shower.”
Up To 100 Meteors Per Hour Expected
Under ideal dark-sky conditions, observers could see between 60 and 100 meteors per hour, with activity increasing after midnight and peaking before dawn. “We expect that to be the case this year, with something like 100 meteors per hour, which is a healthy amount, and about 10 times above the normal static background that you would get on any other night,” said Moskovitz. The Perseids also signal the beginning of one of astronomy’s busiest periods. “It’s also the start of meteor-shower season, which begins with the Perseids and then goes through various other showers, including the Geminids in December.”
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How To Watch The Perseids
The best viewing will be after midnight through the hours before dawn on Aug. 13, when the constellation Perseus rises higher into the northeastern sky. Although the meteors appear to radiate from Perseus, they can streak across any part of the sky, so a wide, unobstructed view is ideal. For the best experience, head to a location away from city lights, allow your eyes around 20 to 30 minutes to adapt to the darkness, and leave telescopes and binoculars behind — the Perseids can only be enjoyed with the naked eye.
How To See The Solar Eclipse Hours Before The Perseids
Although the total solar eclipse will be total only from Greenland, Iceland and Spain, Europe and North America will still get a partial eclipse. The best views from North America will be in eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S. St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador will see 53% of the sun covered, Halifax 31%, Saint John 28%, Québec City 24%, Boston 16% and New York 10%. Anyone viewing the partial phases must wear ISO 12312-2-compliant eclipse glasses. Cameras, binoculars and telescopes require securely fitted solar filters on the front of their optics. Skywatchers relaxing between observing the solar eclipse and the Presides will be able to look for very bright Venus, which will reach 50%-lit and enter its crescent phase as it comes closer to Earth, making it a great target for a small telescope. It’s also an ideal night to look for the Milky Way in the south.
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Further reading
ForbesPerseid Meteor Shower Returns This Week Under An ‘Earthshine’ MoonBy Jamie CarterForbesTuesday’s New Moon Sets Up A Total Solar Eclipse In 29 DaysBy Jamie Carter