Perseid meteor shower - August 2026

Perseid meteor shower (Perseids) in the UK, August 2026
Key dates
• Active period: 17 July – 24 August 2026
• Peak: Overnight 12–13 August 2026 (night of Wednesday 12 August into the early hours of Thursday 13 August)
The predicted maximum is around the early hours of 13 August (roughly 02:00–04:00 UT / BST, depending on the exact model). Activity builds in the nights leading up to the peak and tails off afterward.
Why 2026 is excellent
The peak coincides with a new Moon (on 12 August), so there is essentially no moonlight to wash out fainter meteors. Conditions are among the best in recent years. Under ideal dark skies you could see up to ~100–150 meteors per hour (zenithal hourly rate); realistic rates from good UK sites are typically lower but still impressive (dozens per hour at peak).
Best viewing times in the UK
• Meteors can appear after sunset on 12 August (the radiant in Perseus is always above the horizon from the UK).
• Prime window: roughly midnight to 5:30 am BST on 13 August, when the sky is darkest and the radiant is higher.
• Rates generally improve after midnight as Earth turns into the debris stream.
How and where to watch
• No special equipment needed — just your eyes. Binoculars or telescopes limit your field of view.
• Find a dark location away from street lights and light pollution (rural areas, hills, coasts, national parks). Look toward a wide, unobstructed view of the sky.
• Face generally north-east (toward Perseus, near the “W” of Cassiopeia), but meteors can streak anywhere.
• Allow 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark; avoid phone screens.
• Dress warmly, take a reclining chair or blanket, and be patient.
Extra note
A partial solar eclipse is also visible from the UK on the evening of 12 August, just before the meteor shower peak night.
Check a local weather forecast closer to the date for cloud cover, as clear skies are essential. Sources such as the Royal Museums Greenwich and the BBC provide good UK-specific guidance.