Perseids meteor shower 2025: Regions and US territories that will miss the show and what time is the meteor shower tonight
The Perseids meteor shower, sourced from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, peaks on August 12-13, offering a stunning display primarily for the Northern Hemisphere. Locations like American Samoa and the Southern Hemisphere will experience limited to no visibility due to the radiant's position. Even in the north, bright moonlight and cloud cover can hinder viewing, with peak activity expected in the pre-dawn hours.
The Perseids Meteor Shower peaks on the night of August 12-13, 2025, best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during the pre-dawn hours when up to 100 meteors can streak across dark skies Every August, stargazers around the world eagerly await the dazzling display of the Perseids meteor shower, a spectacular cosmic light show lighting up the night sky. The Perseids are active from July 17 to August 23, peaking on the night of August 12-13 in the Northern Hemisphere. Originating from debris shed by the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, this shower can produce up to 50 to 100 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.But despite its popularity and brightness, not everyone on Earth will get to witness the Perseids this year.
The Perseids are primarily a Northern Hemisphere phenomenon because the radiant point, the spot in the sky where meteors appear to streak from, lies in the constellation Perseus, a northern constellation. US Territories in the Southern Hemisphere: The only US territories located in the Southern Hemisphere are American Samoa and Jarvis Island. Both of these territories will have little to no visibility of the Perseids meteor shower in 2025, due to their southern locations where the Perseid radiant remains low or below the horizon.
Southern Hemisphere: For most of the Southern Hemisphere, including countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, and parts of southern Brazil, the Perseids are either very faint or not visible at all. This is because the radiant never rises high enough above the horizon, and the meteors streak mostly over the northern skies, making sightings very rare or impossible.
Equatorial Regions: Near the equator, in countries like Indonesia, Kenya, Colombia, and Ecuador, the Perseids may appear very low on the horizon, making observation challenging. The meteors are fewer and dimmer, often lost to light pollution or atmospheric haze.
Areas with Bright Moonlight or Cloudy Skies: Even in the Northern Hemisphere, certain places might have poor viewing conditions due to the bright Waxing Gibbous Moon near the peak dates (which can wash out fainter meteors) or persistent cloud cover. Urban centers with heavy light pollution will also struggle to offer good views.
Radiant location: The Perseids' radiant is in the northern sky, so places in the far south simply don't get to see meteors shoot across the sky.
Earth's rotation and orbit: The timing of Earth's position around the Sun means the debris trail of comet Swift-Tuttle is intersected primarily during Northern Hemisphere summer nights.
Atmospheric and environmental factors: Cloudy or rainy seasons (like monsoons or austral winter storms), moonlight, and city lights can all obscure the show.
Even if you're in a location where the Perseids shower isn't visible, there are other meteor showers throughout the year, some better seen from the Southern Hemisphere, like the Geminids or the Eta Aquariids.
The Perseids meteor shower in 2025 will be active from July 17 to August 24, with the peak night being August 12-13. Peak activity usually happens in the pre-dawn hours, roughly between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM local time, when the radiant is highest in the sky. Meteors can sometimes be seen as early as 10:00 PM the night before the peak, but rates will be lower.
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Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Perseids meteor shower tonight: Here's how to watch rare sight and Northern Lights
The night sky promises an extraordinary display tonight, August 13, as one of the year's brightest meteor showers, the Perseids, coincides with possible sightings of the northern lights. The Perseids, known for their fast and brilliant fireballs, are caused by debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle burning up in Earth's atmosphere. At the same time, auroral activity may occur thanks to ongoing solar winds interacting with Earth's magnetic field, reported People. Where and when to watch the Perseids and Northern Lights. (Owen Humphreys/PA) When to watch the Perseids According to another CNN report, the Perseids peaked earlier on Tuesday afternoon, but the best viewing opportunities come tonight in the early hours of Wednesday. There are two main windows for catching meteors: Evening Window (Aug. 12–13): Between dusk and moonrise, there's roughly an hour of darker skies before the bright waning gibbous moon rises. Pre-Dawn Window (Aug. 13): The last couple of hours before sunrise offer another chance. While the moon will still be bright, the most luminous meteors can be spotted by facing north toward the constellation Perseus. This year's full moon glow will limit visibility to around 10-20 meteors per hour instead of the usual 40-50, but bright fireballs will still stand out, the CNN report added. Also read: Atlas may not be a typical comet, could be alien mission, says Harvard physicist When and where to see the Northern Lights The People report cited NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, solar wind streams from multiple coronal holes are boosting auroral potential with the Kp index expected to reach about 3.67. While the chance of a minor G1 geomagnetic storm is slowly declining, northern regions like Alaska and northern Canada could see shimmering auroras tonight if the skies are dark and clear. Other celestial sights tonight In addition to meteors and auroras, skywatchers can spot Venus and Jupiter, which are still close after a conjunction, shining brightly in the eastern sky before sunrise, the CNN report stated. Saturn will also be rising before midnight near the moon, which will add to the night's spectacle. Viewing tips Find a dark site far away from city lights. Your eyes will need nearly half an hour to get accustomed to the dark environment. Look north for auroras; celestial objects around 40° over Perseus herald meteor activity. Make sure you are dressed for the cold and bring a blanket or chair. Be patient, as the very best shows can take their time. FAQs What causes the Perseids? They are fragments from Comet Swift-Tuttle burning up in Earth's atmosphere at high speeds. Why is the meteor count lower this year? The bright moonlight washes out fainter meteors. Where can I see the northern lights? Best chances are in far northern regions such as Alaska and northern Canada. When is the next big meteor shower? The Orionids, peaking October 22–23, will be the next major celestial event.
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Perseid meteor shower to peak tonight: When and how to see it from India
Skywatchers across India have a rare treat in store this week as the Perseid meteor shower, one of the year's most spectacular celestial events, reaches its peak overnight from August 12 to for producing fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs, this annual shower consistently fascinates astronomers and stargazers Perseids occur each year as Earth passes through debris left by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. As the cometary fragments slam into Earth's atmosphere at speeds of up to 59km/sec, they burn up and create glowing streaks across the sky, delighting viewers with up to 100 meteors per hour in ideal TO SEE IT IN INDIA? The shower's activity will be at its highest during the pre-dawn hours of Thursday, August 14, especially between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM. However, eager viewers may catch glimpses of meteors as early as 10:00 PM on August 13, with the frequency ramping up through the year, skywatchers must contend with a bright waning gibbous Moon, which is expected to wash out fainter meteors and reduce average visibility to 15–25 meteors per hour, rather than the full 100 of dark-sky this, the Perseids remain visible with the naked eye, especially from locations with minimal light pollution. The Perseids occur each year as Earth passes through debris left by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. (Photo: Getty) HOW TO WATCH PERSEIDS METEOR SHOWERChoose a Dark Spot: Leave city lights behind, rural locations or out-of-town terraces are Comfortable: Bring a blanket or chair and dress for pre-dawn Patient: Let your eyes adjust for at least 15–20 minutes in the dark. Avoid Up and North: The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, just below Cassiopeia in the northeast, but meteors can flash across any part of the Local Weather: Clear, moonless skies will greatly improve your with fewer visible meteors due to moonlight, the Perseids are set to offer an enthralling cosmic display for those willing to sacrifice a night's those unable to travel or contend with cloudy skies, live streams such as the Virtual Telescope Project will offer online viewing alternatives.- Ends
Economic Times
a day ago
- Economic Times
Perseids meteor shower 2025: Regions and US territories that will miss the show and what time is the meteor shower tonight
Synopsis The Perseids meteor shower, sourced from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, peaks on August 12-13, offering a stunning display primarily for the Northern Hemisphere. Locations like American Samoa and the Southern Hemisphere will experience limited to no visibility due to the radiant's position. Even in the north, bright moonlight and cloud cover can hinder viewing, with peak activity expected in the pre-dawn hours. The Perseids Meteor Shower peaks on the night of August 12-13, 2025, best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during the pre-dawn hours when up to 100 meteors can streak across dark skies Every August, stargazers around the world eagerly await the dazzling display of the Perseids meteor shower, a spectacular cosmic light show lighting up the night sky. The Perseids are active from July 17 to August 23, peaking on the night of August 12-13 in the Northern Hemisphere. Originating from debris shed by the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, this shower can produce up to 50 to 100 meteors per hour under ideal despite its popularity and brightness, not everyone on Earth will get to witness the Perseids this year. The Perseids are primarily a Northern Hemisphere phenomenon because the radiant point, the spot in the sky where meteors appear to streak from, lies in the constellation Perseus, a northern constellation. US Territories in the Southern Hemisphere: The only US territories located in the Southern Hemisphere are American Samoa and Jarvis Island. Both of these territories will have little to no visibility of the Perseids meteor shower in 2025, due to their southern locations where the Perseid radiant remains low or below the horizon. Southern Hemisphere: For most of the Southern Hemisphere, including countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, and parts of southern Brazil, the Perseids are either very faint or not visible at all. This is because the radiant never rises high enough above the horizon, and the meteors streak mostly over the northern skies, making sightings very rare or impossible. Equatorial Regions: Near the equator, in countries like Indonesia, Kenya, Colombia, and Ecuador, the Perseids may appear very low on the horizon, making observation challenging. The meteors are fewer and dimmer, often lost to light pollution or atmospheric haze. Areas with Bright Moonlight or Cloudy Skies: Even in the Northern Hemisphere, certain places might have poor viewing conditions due to the bright Waxing Gibbous Moon near the peak dates (which can wash out fainter meteors) or persistent cloud cover. Urban centers with heavy light pollution will also struggle to offer good views. Radiant location: The Perseids' radiant is in the northern sky, so places in the far south simply don't get to see meteors shoot across the sky. Earth's rotation and orbit: The timing of Earth's position around the Sun means the debris trail of comet Swift-Tuttle is intersected primarily during Northern Hemisphere summer nights. Atmospheric and environmental factors: Cloudy or rainy seasons (like monsoons or austral winter storms), moonlight, and city lights can all obscure the show. Even if you're in a location where the Perseids shower isn't visible, there are other meteor showers throughout the year, some better seen from the Southern Hemisphere, like the Geminids or the Eta Aquariids. The Perseids meteor shower in 2025 will be active from July 17 to August 24, with the peak night being August 12-13. Peak activity usually happens in the pre-dawn hours, roughly between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM local time, when the radiant is highest in the sky. Meteors can sometimes be seen as early as 10:00 PM the night before the peak, but rates will be lower.
