The 2026 Perseids have PERFECT viewing conditions. A new moon on peak night means completely dark skies—no moonlight to wash out fainter meteors. This is one of the best Perseid displays since 2018!
2026 Perseids Quick Facts
Peak Night
August 12-13, 2026
Active Period
July 17 – August 24, 2026
Expected Rate
60-100+ meteors/hour at peak
Moon Phase
New Moon (0% illumination)
Viewing Conditions
EXCELLENT
Radiant
Constellation Perseus (NE sky)
Meteor Speed
59 km/s (132,000 mph)
Parent Comet
109P/Swift-Tuttle
When to Watch
Peak Night: August 12-13, 2026
The absolute best time to watch is the night of Wednesday, August 12 into the early morning of Thursday, August 13.
Hourly Breakdown
9-10 PM: Radiant rising; occasional early meteors
10 PM - Midnight: Good activity (20-40 meteors/hour)
4 AM - Dawn: Excellent rates continue until twilight
Secondary Viewing Nights
Can't watch on peak night? These alternatives still offer good rates:
August 10-11: 40-50% of peak rate
August 11-12: 70-80% of peak rate
August 13-14: 70-80% of peak rate
August 14-15: 40-50% of peak rate
The new moon on August 12 means ALL of these nights have dark skies!
Where to Look
Finding the Radiant
Perseid meteors appear to originate from the constellation Perseus, located in the northeastern sky. However, you don't need to stare directly at Perseus—meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
Best Viewing Strategy
Face northeast but keep your gaze about 45-60 degrees up from the horizon
Use peripheral vision—don't focus on one spot
Scan the entire sky slowly; meteors streak in all directions
Look away from light sources (cities, Moon, bright planets)
Finding Perseus
Perseus rises in the northeast around 10 PM in mid-August. To find it:
Locate the "W" shape of Cassiopeia
Perseus is just below and to the left of Cassiopeia
Use a stargazing app like Stellarium or Sky Guide for exact positioning
Best Locations by Region
North America
Cherry Springs State Park, PA – Darkest skies on the East Coast
Big Bend National Park, TX – Excellent dark sky preserve
Death Valley, CA – Extremely dark, warm August nights
Glacier National Park, MT – Dark skies + mountain scenery
Jasper National Park, Canada – Dark Sky Preserve
Europe
La Palma, Canary Islands – World-class dark skies
Galloway Forest, Scotland – UK's first Dark Sky Park
Alqueva, Portugal – Starlight Tourism Destination
Pic du Midi, France – High altitude observatory
Southern Hemisphere
The Perseids favor Northern Hemisphere observers, but southern viewers can still see meteors:
Best viewing from locations north of 30°S latitude
Expect 10-20 meteors/hour (radiant is low on horizon)
Watch in the hours before dawn when radiant is highest
The Perseids are famous for producing an above-average number of bright meteors and fireballs. These brilliant streaks can light up the entire sky and leave glowing trails that persist for several seconds.
Colorful Trails
Perseid meteors often display colors:
White/Yellow: Most common
Green: From magnesium in the meteoroid
Orange/Red: Slower meteors or atmospheric sodium
Blue: Very fast meteors
Persistent Trains
Some Perseids leave glowing "trains"—ionized trails that can last 1-2 seconds or longer. These are caused by the meteor's high speed (59 km/s) ionizing atmospheric gases.
Warm Weather Viewing
Unlike December's Geminids, the Perseids occur during pleasant summer weather in the Northern Hemisphere. No freezing temperatures or heavy winter gear required!
Bonus: August 12 Solar Eclipse
Double celestial event! August 12, 2026 also features a total solar eclipse visible from Iceland and Spain. If you're traveling for the eclipse, stay for the Perseids that same night!
Photography Guide
Camera Settings
Mode: Manual (M)
ISO: 1600-3200 (higher for fainter meteors)
Aperture: f/2.8 or wider (f/1.8-f/2.4 ideal)
Shutter Speed: 15-25 seconds
Focus: Manual, set to infinity (use live view on a bright star)
White Balance: Daylight or 4000-4500K
Essential Gear
Tripod: Sturdy, stable base is essential
Wide-angle lens: 14-24mm captures more sky
Intervalometer: For continuous shooting
Extra batteries: Long exposures drain batteries
Memory cards: Bring plenty of storage
Red headlamp: Preserves night vision
Shooting Strategy
Set up camera pointing northeast, 45-60° above horizon
Include interesting foreground (trees, mountains, buildings)
Use intervalometer to take continuous 20-second exposures
Shoot for 2-3 hours to capture multiple meteors
Review images periodically to check focus and exposure