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2w ago

Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Under Bright Gibbous Moon

Moonlight at roughly 85 percent illumination is expected to reduce visible meteor rates to about 10–50 per hour, prompting observers to seek short moonless intervals in dark-sky settings for the best views.

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A meteor streaks across the sky during the Perseids meteor shower peak at Pedernales Falls State Park on August 12, 2024 in Johnson City, Texas.

Overview

  • Earth will cross the densest part of Swift–Tuttle debris tonight as the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak.
  • A waning gibbous moon at roughly 85 percent illumination is expected to limit visible meteors to about 10–50 per hour.
  • Only the brightest Perseids, including occasional fireballs and earthgrazers, are likely to be seen against the moonlit sky.
  • Observers should find dark-sky sites, allow at least 20 minutes for eyes to adjust, and target the short window between dusk and moonrise or the pre-dawn hours when the radiant is highest.
  • The meteor shower will remain active through August 24, offering improved viewing on darker nights as the moon continues to wane.