Perseid meteor shower 2025 peaks tonight in the US: Will the bright moon steal the show? Here's how you can watch
Skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere are anticipating the Perseid meteor shower, peaking late Tuesday into Wednesday. Despite potential interference from a waning gibbous moon, up to 100 meteors per hour may be visible in dark, open areas away from city lights. The Perseids, known for bright trails and fireballs, originate from comet Swift-Tuttle's debris stream.
Skywatchers across the Northern Hemisphere are gearing up for what NASA calls 'the best meteor shower of the year' — but this time, the moon might play spoilsport. The Perseid meteor shower, active since July 17, will reach its peak from late Tuesday night into the early hours of Wednesday, producing up to 100 streaks per hour in ideal conditions. The display comes from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, a giant ball of ice and rock that takes 133 years to orbit the Sun. The shower's name traces back to the constellation Perseus, the point from which these meteors appear to radiate. According to NASA, Perseid meteors are famous for their long, bright trails and occasional 'fireballs' — meteoroids that flare into vivid colors in the atmosphere. 'Fireballs' are typically brighter than average meteors, making them easier to spot even under imperfect conditions. But this year's show coincides with a waning gibbous moon — the bright phase between full moon and half moon — which could drown out some of the fainter meteors.
"You're probably going to see 10 to 20 [Perseids] per hour or fewer, and that's because we have a bright moon in the sky washing out the fainter meteors," Bill Cooke, lead for NASA's Meteoroid Environments Office, told reporters. For the clearest view, he advised, "Look anywhere but at the moon."
The best viewing spots will be dark, open areas far from city lights, with the northeast sky in focus before sunrise. While the Northern Hemisphere has the prime vantage point, even casual stargazers may catch a glimpse if they avoid light pollution.
The phenomenon occurs when Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by Swift-Tuttle. As these tiny particles slam into the atmosphere, they vaporize, producing the bright streaks we call 'shooting stars' or 'falling stars.' Despite the moon's interference, astronomers say the Perseids remain one of the most rewarding celestial events of the year — especially for those willing to stay up late and seek out the darkest skies possible.
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