Perseids Meteor Shower: Observation Timings and Tips
Visibility Timetable on August 10
Time | Elevation | |
Perseids is always above the horizon | ||
Sunset | 19:34 | 9° |
Moon Rise, 99.4% illuminated | 20:05 | 10° |
Civil sunset | 20:05 | 10° |
Astrosession begin | 21:19 | 15° |
Perseids is always above the horizon | ||
Astrosession end | 03:55 | 61° |
Civil sunrise | 05:09 | 69° |
Sunrise | 05:40 | 71° |
Perseids radiant transit | 06:17 | 72° |
Moon Set | 06:56 | 71° |
Track Perseids Position Throughout the Night
Time | |
Altitude | |
Azimuth |
Moon Dynamics for Perseids Meteor Shower in 2025
The visibility of a meteor shower depends on the Moon's position and brightness. This chart provides a detailed view of the moon dynamics for this specific meteor shower, helping you determine the best times to observe.
The blue and white areas represent night and day, while the reddish area highlights when the radiant is above the horizon. A white line marks the radiant's transit time, and the grey area shows when the Moon is above the horizon. While many focus on the meteor shower's peak date, it is often preferable to choose a time with dark skies rather than one where the Moon's brightness interferes with visibility. Click on the chart to view detailed Sun and Moon events for a specific date in the table above, ensuring you have all the information needed for a perfect stargazing experience.
Discover the Perseids Meteor Shower, including:
Radiant Position:
- Right Ascension: 03h 01m 59s"
- Declination: 57° 30' 00s
Peak Activity: This meteor shower is active from July 17 to August 24, with peak activity typically occurring around August 12, when the shower’s rate of meteors per hour is at its highest. However, alternative observation dates may vary based on past activity. Refer to the observation history table for more details.
Associated Parent Comet: The Perseids originates from debris left by 109P/Swift-Tuttle. The comet's debris intersects Earth's orbit, creating the meteor shower.
Perseids Observation History
This section provides a record of previous meteor shower activity, including the start, end, and peak dates. While meteor showers are often associated with traditional dates, it's important to note that these dates may vary slightly each year due to solar and atmospheric conditions.
This table serves as a helpful reference, and observers should be aware that the exact dates may shift. Be sure to check updated forecasts closer to the event to determine the best time to observe the shower, as these dates can differ from year to year.
Year | Start Date | Peak Date | End Date |
---|---|---|---|
1970-mm-dd | - | August 12 | - |
2003-mm-dd | - | August 12 | - |
2008-mm-dd | August 06 | August 11 | August 14 |
2009-mm-dd | July 21 | August 11 | September 02 |
2010-mm-dd | July 26 | August 12 | August 20 |
2015-08-23 | July 17 | August 13 | August 31 |
2023-05-01 | July 22 | August 10 | September 02 |
Use this historical data as a guideline for when meteor showers typically occur, but remember that the exact timing may vary slightly each year.
Data Credits
We would like to express our gratitude to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Meteor Center for providing valuable meteor data.
Special thanks to all the astronomers, researchers, and enthusiasts whose work contributes to the understanding and observation of meteor showers.