The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most prolific and visually striking annual celestial events, reaches its peak tonight.
With up to 150 meteors per hour expected under optimal conditions, this spectacle is a highlight of the astronomical calendar. The shower has been active since 17 July, peaked in the early hours of 13 August and will continue until 24 August.
The Perseids occur as Earth passes through the trail of debris left by the comet Swift-Tuttle. As these fragments enter the atmosphere, they burn brightly, creating the familiar streaks of light across the night sky.
Best time to view
The shower will be most visible from midnight through to dawn. The radiant point, where the meteors appear to originate, rises in the late evening and reaches its highest elevation at dawn. This timing offers the best chance to witness the full intensity of the display.
However, visibility may be compromised by residual brightness from the recent Sturgeon Moon. The moonlight could obscure fainter meteors, so darker locations away from urban light pollution will offer the best viewing experience.
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Weather conditions
Tonight’s weather conditions for viewing the Perseid meteor shower will vary across the UK. The best viewing opportunities are expected in the northeast, particularly from Newcastle down to York, where skies will remain largely clear overnight. Elsewhere, isolated showers, some thundery, may persist across southeast England, while low cloud is likely to reform around southwestern coasts and eventually drift onto northeastern shores. Central England may see cloud clearing towards dawn, but it’s uncertain whether skies will clear in time for optimal meteor visibility. Overall, warm conditions are expected, but cloud cover could limit sightings in some areas.
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Viewing tips
To maximise your chances of seeing the Perseids:
- Choose a location with minimal light pollution and a clear view of the sky.
- Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for at least 20 minutes.
- Avoid using mobile phones or bright lights during viewing.
- Bring a reclining chair for comfort.
Whilst viewing conditions are not as favourable as they were in the early hours of Wednesday, some areas should still be clear enough for a decent view of the Perseids. However, the light of the moon may hamper the viewing experience of anyone living in brightly lit towns or cities.
Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.