NASA sets Perseids peak Aug. 12–13

NASA said the Perseid meteor shower will peak on the night of August 12 into the early morning of August 13, with dark-sky conditions expected to make this year’s display especially favorable. The agency said the shower has been active since early July and will continue through the end of August. (nasa.gov) Sky & Telescope said a new Moon will leave observers with moonless skies for the full peak night. EarthSky and NASA both said the best viewing window runs after midnight into pre-dawn, when the shower’s radiant climbs higher in the sky. (skyandtelescope.org) ### Why is this year’s Perseids peak getting extra attention? (nasa.gov) August 12-13 stands out because the Moon will not wash out the sky during the peak. NASA said visibility should be ideal thanks to the new Moon phase, and Sky & Telescope described the timing as “perfectly timed” for meteor watchers because moonless skies will last all night. The Perseids are one of the year’s brightest and most widely watched showers. NASA said the shower is produced as Earth passes through debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle, a cycle that returns every August. (nasa.gov) ### When should people actually go outside? The mornings of August 12 and 13 are the best bet, with the strongest viewing after midnight and before dawn. EarthSky said the best time to watch in 2026 is after midnight through dawn on those mornings, and NASA said the peak runs from the night of August 12 into the early morning of August 13. (nasa.gov) Pre-dawn hours usually produce more meteors because the part of Earth where an observer stands is turning more directly into the stream of debris. EarthSky said the hours before dawn are best for the shower globally, and NASA’s August skywatching guide also points viewers to the late-night-to-early-morning peak window. (science.nasa.gov) ### How many meteors could be visible? NASA described the Perseids as one of the best meteor showers of the year, and secondary reports citing NASA said observers under dark skies could see up to 100 meteors per hour near the peak. The International Meteor Organization’s 2026 calendar lists the Perseids among the strongest annual showers and notes that ideal hourly rates assume very dark skies and the radiant overhead. (nasa.gov) Dark-sky conditions matter more than headline numbers. The IMO said observed rates depend on light pollution, weather, observer experience and how much of the sky is visible, meaning city viewers will usually see fewer meteors than people in rural areas. (science.nasa.gov) ### Where in the sky should people look? Perseus gives the shower its name, but observers do not need to stare directly at the constellation. EarthSky said the radiant is in the east-northeast before dawn, and meteors can appear anywhere across the sky. (nasa.gov) NASA’s guidance is simpler: get away from bright lights, allow time for your eyes to adjust, and look up. Meteor watchers generally get the widest view by reclining or lying back rather than trying to track a single point in the sky. (imo.net) ### What if clouds or timing get in the way? NASA said the Perseids remain active through the end of August, even though the highest activity is expected on August 12-13. That means viewers who miss the peak can still catch some meteors on nearby nights, though EarthSky said the shower tends to drop off quickly after maximum. (earthsky.org) At midnight Eastern on August 13, NASA said it will stream a Perseid watch party on YouTube with meteor experts, live sky-camera views and audience questions. (nasa.gov)