Perseid meteor shower peaks August 12‑13 with up to 150 meteors per hour

The Perseid meteor shower, produced by debris from comet 109P/Swift‑Tuttle, is active from mid‑July through late August and reaches its peak overnight on August 12–13. The peak coincides with a new moon, providing dark skies that can allow observers to see between 50 and 150 meteors per hour, including bright fireball meteors.

Optimal viewing requires a dark location away from light pollution, eye adaptation of 15–30 minutes, and looking toward the radiant near the constellation Perseus. The best viewing window is after midnight up to the pre‑dawn hours in the northern hemisphere. Weather conditions such as clear, dry skies improve visibility, while cloud cover and light pollution reduce it.