Overview
- The Perseids are produced by debris from Comet Swift–Tuttle and will reach their maximum activity the night of Aug. 12 into the early morning of Aug. 13.
- Because the peak coincides with a new moon, observers under dark skies could see roughly 90 to 100 or more meteors per hour at the shower’s height.
- The best viewing window is after midnight through the pre-dawn hours and you do not need binoculars or a telescope to watch meteors.
- To maximize sightings go to a dark location away from city lights, allow about 20 minutes for your eyes to adapt, and plan for weather and local light pollution to affect counts.
- Near New York City, recommended dark-sky options include Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania for the deepest darkness and the Adirondacks for closer in-state viewing, both of which may draw road-trip demand for the peak nights.