The Perseid meteor shower is the most famous annual display of "shooting stars." It typically occurs between July and August, when it's warm in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Perseid meteor shower in 2026 peaks the night of Aug. 12 and in the pre-dawn hours of Aug. 13. During the peak, roughly 100 meteors could be visible each hour, if you find a suitably dark location to watch from.
The 2026 Perseids are also shaping up to be one of the best displays in years, thanks to one big factor: a new moon. On Aug. 12, the Earth-facing side of the moon will be completely dark, as the moon maneuvers between Earth and the sun. Not only will this provide exceptionally dark skies for spotting meteors, but it will also cause a total solar eclipse earlier in the day on Aug. 12. (Here's where and when the eclipse will be visible from North America and Europe, and where to get last-minute solar eclipse glasses.)
Will you be watching the Perseids, the eclipse, or both? Here's everything you need to know about one of the best meteor showers in years.
