08/11/2026
- Perseids Meteor Shower: Peak August 12 & 13 💫 When, where and how to see one of the best meteor showers of the year!
Like clockwork, the annual Perseids Meteor Shower dazzles astronomers and stargazers every August with ‘fireballs’ visible for almost the entire northern hemisphere to see. Made of tiny space debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle, the meteors are called Perseids because the point from which they appear to originate from (called the “radiant”) lies in the constellation Perseus. When you watch a meteor shower, you're seeing the pieces of comet debris heat up as they enter the atmosphere and burn up in a bright burst of light streaking across the sky. In space, these pieces of debris are called "meteoroids," but when they reach Earth's atmosphere, they're designated as "meteors." If a piece makes it all the way down to Earth without burning up, it graduates to "meteorite."
⏰WHEN:
Active from about July 17 through August 24 every year, the Perseids can build up to a peak of about 100 “shooting stars” per hour. The peak in 2026 is August 12 & 13, though the few nights before and after are almost as good. The best time to look for meteors is the predawn hours. This year will be a good one for the Perseids as the moon will only be 10% illuminated
📍WHERE:
The Perseid shower is named for the constellation Perseus, so the Perseid meteors will appear to be traveling away from the constellation Perseus in the night sky. Locating Perseus might help you to see as many meteors as possible but is certainly not necessary. Just look up!
❓HOW:
You don't need any special equipment or any special skills to observe this amazing celestial event. All you really need is a clear sky, little to no light pollution and lots of patience. An Interactive sky map is handy too. Here’s a few tips to help maximize your viewing experience:
Find a secluded spot away from artificial light and give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Be sure to turn flashlights and phones off as light from even small sources can negatively affect night vision.
Dress for the weather! Bring a blanket or chair, lay back and keep your head slightly elevated. Try to take in as much sky as possible.
Look up, particularly in the direction of the radiant.
Although tempting, avoid using binoculars or telescopes.
Happy stargazing!
Article by Kelly Scott, Resource Interpretive Specialist, Island Beach State Park
Image: NASA
