Your Ultimate Guide To Meteor Showers And The Perseids — By An Expert
What's a summer without a meteor shower? If lying underneath a sky full of stars waiting for meteors is your thing, summer in the Northern Hemisphere brings one not-to-be-missed opportunity — the Perseids. Sadly, that's not the case this year, with an almost full moon destined to bleach the sky so much that barely any of its 75-100 'shooting stars' per hour will be visible.
Luckily, there are other summer meteor showers, and it just so happens that the peak night for two others overlaps with the best night to see at least a hint of the Perseids. From the famed Perseid meteor shower to the fireball-prone Alpha Capricornids and the reliable Delta Aquariids, here's everything you need to know about seeing 'shooting stars' this summer with this ultimate guide to meteor showers in summer 2025.
Perseids: Summer's Moonstruck Meteor Shower
The Perseid meteor shower is the most anticipated celestial event of the year for the Northern Hemisphere, but in 2025, special care is required to avoid disappointment. Active from July 17 to Aug. 23, the Perseids peak overnight on Aug. 12–13. In 2025, however, stargazers face a challenge: a full sturgeon moon on Aug. 9 will still be bright enough to outshine all but the brightest meteors during the peak.
Here's the rub — ignore the peak night and instead opt for two moonless nights as close as possible to it: July 29–30 and August 15-16. On both occasions, you'll likely get a modest showing of Perseids — about 5 to 15 meteors per hour — but under truly dark, moonless skies.
Even at lower rates, the Perseids can impress. Known for fast, bright meteors with long trails, they radiate from the constellation Perseus in the northeast. However, you don't need to fixate on any one direction—its meteors, like all meteors, can appear anywhere in the sky. Plus, there's an additional reason to skywatch for "shooting stars" on July 29-30.
Delta Aquariids And Alpha Capricornids
Peaking on the same night as the Perseid's best early showing will be no fewer than two meteor showers — the Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids. The Delta Aquariids will bring up to 25 faint meteors, but they're consistent and can be seen for a few nights on either side of the peak. Their radiant point lies near the constellation Aquarius in the southern sky.
It's a similar story for the Alpha Capricornids, which also emanate from the southern sky in the constellation Capricornus. They'll number only five to 10 meteors per hour, but what they lack in numbers, they may make up for in spectacle because these slow, bright meteors can often be fireballs.
Expert Advice On Seeing 'Shooting Stars'
According to NASA, the best way to watch a meteor shower is to get out of the city, away from urban light pollution, to the darkest location you can find. A good option is a Dark Sky Place or a location that appears dark on a light pollution map.
Allow at least 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adjust, and refrain from looking at your smartphone to allow your eyes to dark adapt. Have a wide, unobstructed view of the sky, a lawn chair or a blanket to lay down on, and do not try to use a telescope or binoculars — a rookie error that will hugely restrict your view.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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