Perseid meteor shower peaks in August with darker skies for 2026
NASA says the Perseids peak Aug. 12 to 13, with a New Moon helping dim the sky for one of summer’s favorite meteor displays.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
The Perseid meteor shower is back over Earth, and 2026 is giving skywatchers a handy bonus: its peak lands around the New Moon, meaning less moonlight will wash out the show, according to NASA.
The annual meteor shower is already active and runs from July 17 through Aug. 24. NASA says the best stretch comes overnight on Aug. 12 to 13, when the Perseids are expected to reach their peak.
For anyone hoping to catch the brightest streaks, NASA recommends going outside after midnight and watching until before dawn. The agency also advises choosing a dark viewing spot away from city lights and letting your eyes adjust to the night.
What creates the Perseids
The Perseids come from debris left behind by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, according to NASA. As the comet travels around the Sun, it sheds tiny pieces of rock and dust into space.
Earth passes through that trail each year. When those bits of comet material slam into the atmosphere at high speed, they burn up and create the bright lines commonly called shooting stars.
NASA says the Perseids are also known for fireballs, which are brighter and last longer than typical meteor streaks. Those flashes are caused by larger pieces of comet material entering Earth’s atmosphere.
When to look up
The shower can be seen at different points during its July 17 to Aug. 24 active window, but the prime date is Aug. 12 to 13, according to NASA. That is when viewers have the strongest chance of seeing the display at its busiest.
The timing is especially friendly this year because the peak falls near the New Moon. With little moonlight in the sky, fainter meteors are easier to spot, provided clouds and local light pollution do not get in the way.
NASA’s viewing advice is low-tech: find the darkest sky you can, get comfortable, and give your eyes time to adapt. Looking at a phone or standing near bright lights can make it harder to catch dimmer streaks.
The Perseids are one of the better-known meteor showers on the stargazing calendar because of their bright meteors and relatively high number of visible streaks, according to NASA. This year’s darker peak skies could make the August show a strong one for patient watchers.
This story draws on original reporting from Mashable.