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More than 100 meteors an hour could soon light up the night sky as the annual Perseid meteor shower begins.
The Perseid meteor shower, one of three active meteor showers in July, is set to peak in mid-August, when skywatchers across the Northern Hemisphere will have their best chance to see the greatest number of shooting stars. This year, the peak falls during August's new moon phase when the skies will be dark - which creates rather ideal viewing conditions.
Where does the Perseid meteor shower get its name from?
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Considered the best cosmic display of the year, the Perseids appear to come from the constellation Perseus, NASA says, hence the name. However, the pieces of debris that create the Perseid meteor shower originate from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.
When can you see the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseids, which are active from July 17 through Aug. 24, will peak on the night of Aug. 12 into Aug. 13.
What is the best time to watch the meteor shower?
The best viewing typically starts late at night and continues into the early morning hours, with the pre-dawn period offering the most meteors as the radiant climbs highest in the sky. In many areas, you can begin spotting meteors as early as 10 p.m. with visibility improving through the night.
This year, peak conditions coincide with a new moon, which means the sky will be dark. If the skies remain clear, skygazers should be able to see plenty of activity.
What will the Perseid meteor shower look like?
The Perseids' meteors are plentiful, swift and bright, according to NASA. The popular meteor shower consists of 50 to 100 meteors per hour and is known for its fireballs and the long "wakes" of light and color left behind its meteors.
How to watch the Perseid meteor shower
No equipment is needed to watch the Perseid meteor shower, just patience and preferably a dark sky.
For the best experience:
- Find a dark location away from city lights
- Allow time for your eyes time to adjust to the darkness
- Look toward the northeast sky and scan broadly
- Dress for the weather
The Perseids are visible across most of the Northern Hemisphere, including the U.S., with better viewing conditions in areas away from light pollution.
"The darker the skies, the better your chances of seeing the really faint meteors as well,” said Dr. Ashley King of London's National History Museum.
You also need to be patient.
What other meteor showers are in July?
There are two others and neither are known for producing the brightest meteors:
- The Alpha Capricornids are active from July 3 through Aug. 15 and will peak on the night of July 30.
- The Delta Aquariids are a strong meteor shower that are active between July 12 and Aug. 23 and peak on the night of July 30.
When is the next full moon 2026?
The next full moon will be the July full moon, known as the buck moon on July 29, 2026.
Contributing: USA Today Network
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Perseid meteor shower 2026: Peak dates, best viewing times in New York
