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Southern Californians willing to stay up late or rise before dawn will have an opportunity to view the annual Perseid meteor shower Wednesday night and early Thursday under what astronomers say should be ideal viewing conditions.
The Perseids are expected to peak overnight, with as many as 50 to 100 meteors per hour potentially visible under dark skies, according to NASA. The American Meteor Society estimates observers in rural areas could see about 30 to 50 meteors per hour.
Viewing conditions are expected to be especially favorable because the meteor shower coincides with a new moon, meaning moonlight will not interfere with visibility.
The Perseids occur each year as Earth passes through debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Tiny particles from the comet burn up as they enter Earth’s atmosphere, creating the bright streaks of light commonly known as shooting stars.
The meteor shower has been observed for more than 2,000 years and is considered one of the year’s most reliable and popular celestial events because of its frequent bright fireballs and its arrival during the warm summer months.
Astronomers recommend viewing the shower from a location away from city lights with an unobstructed view of the sky. The best viewing is expected between midnight and dawn, when the constellation Perseus is high in the northeastern sky. Meteors, however, may appear anywhere overhead.
Residents seeking darker skies can head to higher elevations in the San Gabriel Mountains, including Mount Wilson Observatory, Chilao Campground and Crystal Lake Recreation Area, or travel farther to Joshua Tree National Park or Red Rock Canyon State Park. Beach locations such as Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu may also offer good viewing away from city lights.
Skywatchers are encouraged to allow about 30 minutes for their eyes to adjust to the darkness and to avoid looking at phones or other bright screens while observing.
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In addition to a historic total solar eclipse, August also features one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year. On the night of August 12 and into the early morning of August 13, astronomy enthusiasts in the northern hemisphere and parts of the southern hemisphere will be able to admire the Perseids during a particularly favorable viewing window.
Occasionally, Earth passes through the trails of particles left behind by some comets as they travel through the solar system. When these tiny fragments enter Earth’s atmosphere, friction with the air heats them until they burn up. From below, it looks as though the sky is filled with bright flashes streaking across the heavens at high speed. These are meteor showers. There are several throughout the year, and the one in August is called the Perseids.
Although a meteor shower is one of the few astronomical phenomena that can be observed with the naked eye, it is not always easy to track. To enjoy it to the fullest, it’s a good idea to follow some basic recommendations for stargazing.
This Year’s Perseids Are Especially Visible
Traditionally, the Perseids reach a rate of up to 100 meteors per hour during their peak activity—at least, under ideal viewing conditions. This makes them one of the three most intense meteor showers of the year, along with the Geminids in December and the Quadrantids in January.
In 2026, the viewing conditions are particularly favorable. The peak of activity, expected on the night of August 12–13, will coincide with the new moon phase. This means that virtually none of the moon’s illuminated side will be visible from Earth, so there will be no moonlight to interfere with meteor viewing. In other words, the sky will be much darker than usual.
What’s the Best Way to View the Perseids?
The main advice from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) for enjoying a meteor shower is to get away from light pollution. Ideally, head out of the city and find a spot with dark skies, as well as a horizon that’s as unobstructed as possible to ensure a wide field of view.
Keep in mind that it takes the human eyes 20 to 30 minutes to fully adjust to the dark. Once that time has passed, it will be easier to spot faint meteors. While observing, it’s also advisable to avoid using your cell phone or other bright screens, as they reduce your eyes’ sensitivity.
Another important tip is to avoid using telescopes and binoculars. Although they might seem useful, NASA explains that these instruments narrow your field of view, whereas meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. It’s best to observe with the naked eye.
Although the Perseids get their name because they appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, it is not necessary to look toward it. Both NASA and the ESA point out that meteors can streak across any part of the sky. Ideally, lie down or use a reclining chair to observe a wide portion of the sky, preferably after midnight, when the meteor shower’s radiant reaches a higher point above the horizon and the frequency of visible meteors increases.
Finally, the agencies remind us that patience is also part of the experience. Meteors do not appear at a steady rate. Several minutes may pass without any activity, and then suddenly, several may be seen in quick succession. Staying under a dark sky for at least an hour offers the best chance of enjoying the show.
This story originally appeared on WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.
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