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Perseid meteor shower 2026: A new moon will offer great views
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- The Perseid meteor shower is peaking Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with viewing conditions especially favorable in the Northern Hemisphere due to a new moon phase minimizing light interference.
- Observers can expect to see between 30 to 100 meteors per hour under ideal dark-sky conditions, with the best viewing time between midnight and dawn when the constellation Perseus is highest.
- The Perseids originate from debris left by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 133 years and is known for producing bright fireballs during its annual showers.
- This year’s peak coincides with a total solar eclipse visible in parts of Spain, Iceland, and Greenland, as well as a rare six-planet alignment, though the meteor viewing is best after the eclipse’s totality phase.
- Experts recommend finding a dark location away from city lights, allowing eyes to adjust to darkness, and avoiding looking at phones to fully enjoy the meteor shower spectacle.
