Overview

• The Perseid meteor shower peaks on the night of August 12–13 under an 84% illuminated Sturgeon Moon that rises near twilight
• Bright moonlight will cut meteor counts to roughly 5–20 per hour compared with 50–100 under dark skies
• Observers should face northeast toward the Perseus radiant with their backs to the moon and choose dark, open locations for the best chance of sighting meteors
• Allowing at least 30 minutes for eye adaptation and minimizing artificial light improves detection of both faint streaks and fireballs
• Following the peak, later moonrises will extend moonless windows slightly, though meteor rates drop sharply after August 13