Perseids 2025: How to see the biggest meteor shower of the year in London this week
For several weeks each and every summer (it was first observed way back in 69BC), Perseids lights up our sky with hundreds of shooting stars (aka meteors), putting on a dazzling display for everyone here on Earth. It's active for over a month and you may have spotted one or two meteors on a recent clear night, but Perseids is at its most dazzling on the night known as its 'peak'.
Here's what you need to know if you want the best possible view of the Perseids meteor shower from London.
What is the Perseid meteor shower?
Meteor showers are made up of debris from comets in our solar system. This particular shower stems from a comet called 109P/Swift-Tuttle. The meteors crash into the Earth's atmosphere at an average speed of 36 miles per second then vaporise, leaving glowing streaks of light behind them. Royal Museums Greenwich calls Perseids 'one of the best meteor showers of the year'.
When will the Perseids be visible in London?
The shower has been active since July 17 and will continue until August 24. The best opportunity to see them will be when it reaches the maximum number of meteors of around 150 per hour (its 'peak') in mid-August.
When do they peak?
The exact day that the Perseids shower peaks will be Tuesday, August 12.
How can I watch?
Just look up. There's no need for any special equipment – you should be able to see Perseids with the naked eye, so long as the conditions are good.
Obviously we'll only be able to see the spectacle if the skies are clear. At this point, it's too early to say exactly what the weather will be like on the night that the shower peaks. Right now, the Met Office says that between August 5 and August 19, London will see 'spells of rain or showers mixed in with some drier, brighter days'.
It says that 'there are signs that high pressure to the southwest may try to extend its influence across the UK, which could bring more in the way of dry, settled weather as we head further into August', so things look hopeful.
If the sky is clear on the night, set yourself up somewhere with an unobstructed view of the sky and minimal light pollution. A hilly park like Primrose Hill, Hampstead Heath or Morden Hall Park would be ideal.
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Catch the Perseids meteor shower in Singapore this August – here's how to see it
If there's one celestial event worth losing sleep over this year, it's the Perseids meteor shower. Peaking in the early hours between August 12 and 13, this dazzling display is one of the most anticipated astronomical shows of 2025. And yes, you can see it from Singapore if conditions are right. Before you start frantically googling, here's everything you need to know about catching the Perseids in Singapore. What is the Perseids meteor shower? Each year, Earth drifts through a trail of debris left behind over millennia by Comet Swift-Tuttle. As the comet orbits the Sun, it sheds dust and particles along its path. When this cosmic debris collides with Earth's atmosphere, it burns up, creating bright streaks of light across the night sky – that's the meteor shower we see. Occasionally, you might even spot fireballs – these are extra-bright bursts that shine longer and more dramatically than your average shooting star. When will the Perseids meteor shower be visible in Singapore? This galactic spectacle is active from July 17 to August 24, 2025. However, the peak of this event occurs between August 12 and 13. The best times to view the Perseids meteor shower in Singapore are from 3am to 6am, when the skies are darkest and the shower is at its most intense. Can I see the Perseids meteor shower in Singapore with my naked eye? Cross your fingers and hope for clear skies as that's when you'll get the best view of the meteor shower, no special equipment needed. But if the weather doesn't quite play along, you can always bring out a telescope or binoculars to enhance the experience. You'll also want to give your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness so it's best if you avoid looking at your screens and phone. Where is the best place to view the Perseids meteor shower in Singapore? For the best experience, set up your stargazing spot in an open area with unobstructed views and elevated ground. This helps minimise light pollution and gives you a better chance of catching the Perseids meteor shower in Singapore. Try heading to places like the Marina Barrage, East Coast Park or Upper Seletar Reservoir Park if you're looking for a more secluded spot to gaze at the stars. Remember to bring a mat, some snacks, a portable fan and mozzie repellent – it's still Singapore after all.
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Two epic meteor and fireball displays are about to light up the night skies
Two separate meteor showers will overlap in the coming days, giving ample scope for seeing shooting stars. In fact there's a third shower happening later this month – but this one is fainter and only viewable in the southern hemisphere. Taking pride of place will be the ever reliable Perseids, often considered the year's best meteor shower. At their peak, between 50 and 100 meteors will streak across the night sky each hour. The Perseids originate from Comet Swift-Tuttle, a short-period comet that orbits the Sun every 133 years. As Earth crosses its dust trail, tiny fragments hit the atmosphere at up to 45 miles per second, igniting into rapid, glowing trails. Their displays began on July 17 and they will run until August 23, peaking overnight around August 11-12. The peak period is usually amongst the highlights of the annual stargazing calendar. Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) said: 'The Perseid meteor shower is one of the best meteor showers of the year because it produces bright meteors and is one of the most active. "There's also a high chance of seeing fireballs, which are very bright meteors, as well as meteors with long trains during the Perseid meteor shower.' This year, however, there's a complicating factor. In mid August, the full Sturgeon Moon is likely to wash out the displays, leaving only the brightest meteors visible. For this reason, it may be better to look out for Perseids either side of the peak when the skies are darker. Clouds permitting, this week is a decent time, especially around the new Moon on July 24. You won't need any special equipment. Best time for viewing them is in the early morning, between midnight and dawn. However, some may be visible earlier, said RMG. RMG, which hosts the Royal Observatory, said: 'The radiant of the Perseids is actually always above the horizon as seen from the UK, which means that observers in the UK should be able to see some meteors as soon as the Sun sets. Therefore, it is worth looking up in the early evening.' Other meteors displaying already, in both northern and southern skies, are the Alpha Capricornids. Unlike the Perseids, they will peak on July 29-30 when the Moon is in its waxing crescent phase, meaning there will be much less light pollution. This shower isn't particularly prolific, yielding only around five meteors per hour at its peak. But where they lose out in quantity, they make up for in quality, blazing brightly across the night sky, some as fireballs. Scientists estimate this meteor shower originated about 3,500 to 5,000 years ago when half of the parent comet disintegrated. The Earth began orbiting through some of the resulting dust cloud only recently. By the 24th century, most of the dust trail is expected to be in Earth's path. In two centuries from now, the Alpha Capricornids are predicted to become a major annual meteor storm, stronger than all current showers. How to view meteor showers As always, it's best to find a dark spot away from city lights – and one that gives the maximum field of view. Hills and mountains are ideal, but parks and the countryside are fine too. Chose a night with clear skies and, ideally, mimimal Moon glare. If peak shower viewing is not possible – poor weather, full Moon – Royal Museums Greenwich said the days leading up to the peak are usually better than the days after. It added: 'Give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the dark so that you can catch more of the fainter meteors – this does mean that you should avoid looking at your phone!' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Time Out
2 days ago
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Perseids 2025: How to see the biggest meteor shower of the year in London this week
If you know astronomy, you'll know that the Perseids is the fastest and brightest meteor shower that graces our skies each year. You may also know that it's due to reach it's peak very soon. For several weeks each and every summer (it was first observed way back in 69BC), Perseids lights up our sky with hundreds of shooting stars (aka meteors), putting on a dazzling display for everyone here on Earth. It's active for over a month and you may have spotted one or two meteors on a recent clear night, but Perseids is at its most dazzling on the night known as its 'peak'. Here's what you need to know if you want the best possible view of the Perseids meteor shower from London. What is the Perseid meteor shower? Meteor showers are made up of debris from comets in our solar system. This particular shower stems from a comet called 109P/Swift-Tuttle. The meteors crash into the Earth's atmosphere at an average speed of 36 miles per second then vaporise, leaving glowing streaks of light behind them. Royal Museums Greenwich calls Perseids 'one of the best meteor showers of the year'. When will the Perseids be visible in London? The shower has been active since July 17 and will continue until August 24. The best opportunity to see them will be when it reaches the maximum number of meteors of around 150 per hour (its 'peak') in mid-August. When do they peak? The exact day that the Perseids shower peaks will be Tuesday, August 12. How can I watch? Just look up. There's no need for any special equipment – you should be able to see Perseids with the naked eye, so long as the conditions are good. Obviously we'll only be able to see the spectacle if the skies are clear. At this point, it's too early to say exactly what the weather will be like on the night that the shower peaks. Right now, the Met Office says that between August 5 and August 19, London will see 'spells of rain or showers mixed in with some drier, brighter days'. It says that 'there are signs that high pressure to the southwest may try to extend its influence across the UK, which could bring more in the way of dry, settled weather as we head further into August', so things look hopeful. If the sky is clear on the night, set yourself up somewhere with an unobstructed view of the sky and minimal light pollution. A hilly park like Primrose Hill, Hampstead Heath or Morden Hall Park would be ideal.
