Perseids
Fast, bright meteors from debris left by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. The radiant climbs well for UK viewers, so this is one of the most reliable annual showers to watch.
UK skywatch
Next Meteor Shower
The Perseids are the next strong shower to watch from the UK, with the best window running from late evening on Wednesday 12 August into the pre-dawn hours of Thursday 13 August 2026.
Peak window opens in
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22:30-05:00 BST
Wednesday 12 into Thursday 13 August 2026. After midnight is strongest.
17 Jul-24 Aug
The shower builds through late July and early August, then falls away after the peak.
New Moon skies
The Moon is new on 12 August, so 2026 has unusually good dark-sky conditions.
Tiny mission plan
Make the most of it
Find proper darkness
Choose somewhere safe, away from street lights. A wide view of the north-east helps.
The watch window opens
Perseid meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, so get comfortable and avoid phone glare.
Settle in for the best bit
The radiant climbs higher as the night goes on. No telescope needed: a wide, patient view is better.
UK time now
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Status
Calculating...