Northern Hemisphere, best after midnightWhere it's visible
~100 / hourPeak rate
YesVisible from the U.S.
50%Moon at peak
Viewing advice
Best from the northern hemisphere. The radiant sits high in Perseus at about 58 degrees north, so from Australia, New Zealand or southern South America you see very little of it.
The best time to see Perseid Meteor Shower in 2028 is August 12-13, 2028. Timing status: Predicted dates.
The summer classic, fast and full of fireballs.
The Perseids are the dependable summer favorite, with swift meteors radiating from Perseus and the odd bright fireball thrown in. Rates climb after midnight, and dark skies away from city lights make all the difference.
Moon at the peak: last quarter, 50% lit (fair). A half-lit moon dims the fainter meteors while it is up. Best after it sets, or facing the darkest part of the sky.
Why it happens
Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle
Inclined 113° to Earth's orbit. Every August, Earth reaches the node where this comet's dust crosses its path, and the debris burns up as the shower.
