The 2026 Perseids meteor shower is shaping up to be one of the best cosmic light shows in years. Here is what New York residents need to know about the shower.
Up to 100 meteors an hour could soon light up the night sky as the annual Perseids approaches.
The Perseids, one of three active meteor showers in the month of July 2026, reaches its peak in August, when skywatchers across the Northern Hemisphere will have their best chance to see the greatest number of shooting stars.
What makes 2026 special is the timing: the peak falls during a new moon, meaning darker skies and minimal light interference — ideal conditions for spotting even the faintest of meteors.
The meteor showers are created by debris left behind by the comet 109P/Swift‑Tuttle as it repeatedly travels through the inner solar system. The Perseids get their name from the constellation Perseus, since the meteors appear to radiate from that part of the sky.
The Perseids are active from July 17 through Aug. 24, while the Alpha Capricornids kicked off on July 3 and the Southern delta Aquariids will become active on July 12.
Here’s what to know about all the July meteor showers, when they peak, where to get the best views and what are the moon phases.
When is the Perseid meteor shower 2026? Perseids peak
The Perseid meteor shower of July 2026 will be active from July 17 through Aug. 24 and will peak on the night of Aug 12-13, when activity surges, with the highest concentration of meteors visible in a short window.
According to the American Meteor Society, the Perseids normal hourly rates range from 30-50 shooting meteors per hour for stargazers, reaching a strong maximum on the night of Aug. 12-13 and they will be best viewed after midnight. Note that they can appear from any direction.
When is the Alpha Capricornids meteor shower?
The Alpha Capricornids are active from July 3 through August 15 and will peak on the night of July 30 and can be seen from both sides of the equator. While it is not very strong and rarely produces over 5 meteors per hour, the number of bright fireballs it produces is notable.
When are the Southern Delta Aquariids?
The Delta Aquariids are a strong meteor shower that kick off on July 12 through Aug. 23 and they will peak on the night of July 30. They aren’t known for being the brightest, but they do produce between 10-20 meteors per hour near their peak.
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.
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:
The Perseids are visible across most of the Northern Hemisphere, including the U.S., with better viewing conditions in areas away from light pollution.
What are the moon phases for July 2026
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.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist covering trending and breaking topics across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions for USA Today Network. Reach her at mfrancis@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: New Yorker’s best time to watch Perseid meteor shower in July 2026
Reporting by Maria Francis, USA TODAY NETWORK / Bucks County Courier Times
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By Maria Francis, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
