August 11, 2026 | 01:39 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Skywatchers across the United States are getting ready for an exceptional viewing opportunity as the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak on the night of Wednesday, August 12, through the early morning hours of Thursday, August 13.
This year’s cosmic event offers favorable conditions because the moon will be in its new moon phase. Without bright moonlight washing out the night sky, stargazers can expect better visibility to spot faint streaks across the dark backdrop, as long as weather permits.
When to Watch Perseid Meteor Shower
According to the American Meteor Society, the Perseid shower began its annual run on July 17 and will continue through August 24.
The prime viewing window spans the night of August 12 through early into the morning of August 13. While a few lingering meteors may still be visible on August 14, observers should plan for the August 12–13 peak, as meteor activity drops off sharply once the main event passes.
How to Watch Perseid Meteor Shower
To catch the best view of the meteor shower, astronomy outlet EarthSky.org advises looking toward the east-northeast horizon.
No specialized equipment like telescopes or binoculars is required. Stargazers simply need to find an open spot far from city lights and give their eyes about 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
What Comes Next
Meteor showers occur periodically throughout the year as Earth travels along its orbit and passes through trails of cosmic debris left behind by comets or asteroids. The Perseids stem from dust particles shed by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.
When these high-speed space rocks collide with Earth’s atmosphere, friction against the air generates intense heat, causing the material to burn up and produce glowing streaks of light commonly called shooting stars.
For those who miss the August peak, the next major celestial display on the calendar will be the Orionid meteor shower. According to the American Meteor Society, the Orionids will become active on October 2 and run through November 12, reaching their peak intensity on October 23.
Read: 9 Night Sky Events to Watch in August: From Eclipses to Meteor Showers
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