Night owls in Illinois may have a chance to view a popular summer meteor shower over the next few weeks.
Here’s what how to catch it.
What is the Perseid meteor shower?
According to the American Meteor Society, this celestial event is the most popular meteor shower. Particles are released from a comet named 109P/Swift-Tuttle as it returns to the inner solar system. The name “Perseid” comes from Perseus, the constellation near where the meteors appear to originate at maximum activity.
When is the Perseid meteor shower?
The shower is active now, and skywatchers might catch it starting at around 11 p.m.
According to space.com, it’s active from mid-July through late August and will peak overnight between Aug. 12 and 13.
When is the best time to see the Perseids?
The best time to view the Perseids is between midnight and dawn, according to the the American Meteor Society.
A good day to view them is Thursday, July 24, the same day as the full moon, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. This will make the night skies darker and optimal for stargazing.
Another good day to see the Perseids is on Wednesday, July 30, because two other meteor showers, alpha Capricornids and Southern delta Aquariids, will be happening at the same time, according to Robert Lunsford, the American Meteor Society’s newsletter editor and fireball report coordinator.
Can I see the Perseid meteor shower in Illinois?
It’s possible — the phenomenon is most visible from the northern hemisphere, according to the American Meteor Society.
Its peak is close to the Aug. 9 full moon, so moonlight could affect viewing. The American Meteor Society predicted the moon will be at 84% full at the meteor shower’s peak.
Other astronomical events to check out in July 2025
If you plan on observing the sky this month, writes NASA, keep the following dates in mind for July 2025:
Find stars, planets and constellations with these free astronomy apps
The following free astronomy apps can help you locate stars, planets, and constellations.
When is the August 2025 full moon?
The full Sturgeon Moon should reach peak illumination by Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.
Julia Gomez contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Can you see the Perseid meteor shower in Illinois? Here’s how to view the summer phenomenon
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, John Tufts and Jenny Porter Tilley, USA TODAY NETWORK / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
