2021 Perseids: The Best Meteor Shower of the Year (Peak: August 11-13)

Get out under the stars, away from city lights, to catch the annual Perseids Meteor Shower, the Northern Hemisphere’s most popular meteor shower.

Each summer, Earth passes through the trail of dust and debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, creating a dazzling display of shooting stars. Under dark skies, the Perseids can produce up to 100 meteors per hour at their peak, including bright fireballs that often leave glowing trails across the sky.

2026 Perseids Meteor Shower
August 12-13, 2026 | Late evening through just before dawn
Predicted Peak: The night of Aug. 12, before dawn on Aug. 13, 2026 
For the best viewing, head outside after midnight and keep watching through the hours before dawn, when the meteor shower is typically at its strongest. While August 12-13 is expected to offer the best display, the nights before and after the peak can also provide excellent viewing.

Is 2026 a Good Year to View the Perseids?

Absolutely! 2026 is expected to be one of the best years in recent memory to watch the Perseids.

The meteor shower peaks just after the August 12 new moon, so skies will be exceptionally dark with virtually no moonlight to wash out fainter meteors. Under clear, dark skies away from light pollution, observers could see dozens of meteors per hour, with the best displays occurring after midnight through dawn.

Can I Only Watch The Peak?

Nope! While the peak offers the highest meteor rates, the Perseids are active for weeks, gradually building to their peak before tapering off. In 2026, the shower is active from July 17 through August 24, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch shooting stars.

Why Is This Meteor Shower So Popular?

The Perseids are one of the year’s richest and most reliable meteor showers, often producing up to 100 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. They’re also famous for their bright meteors and long-lasting glowing trails, making them a favorite for both first-time and experienced skywatchers.

Best Places to Watch in the Bay Area

For the best viewing, get as far away from city lights as possible. 7×7 has a great write up of the best places in the Bay Area for stargazing including Strawberry Hill in Golden Gate Park, Lands End in San Francisco, Mt. Hamilton in San Jose, the Chabot Space Center in Oakland (which has free telescope stargazing events on most Fridays and Saturdays) and many others.

Read more at earthsky.org and Space.com