Perseids 2025: Year's most magical meteor shower about to peak - here's when and where to catch the spectacle
Stargazers can enjoy this annual cosmic show from dark, cloudless skies away from city lights. If you've never stayed up late to see a meteor shower, you should do it in 2025. The Perseids are a favorite of both amateur astronomers and casual stargazers because they happen often and are very bright.
The Perseids are technically active from July 17 to August 24, but the best show is expected to happen overnight on August 12 and 13. The best time to see them is between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. EDT (midnight and 1:00 a.m. PDT), according to astronomers. During this time, Earth will go through the densest part of Comet Swift-Tuttle's debris stream, which is what makes the show happen, as per a report by The Mirror.Don't worry if you can't stay up late or get up early. You can still see meteors before and after the peak night, but not as many.Where you are is everything. The best place to see the Perseids is in the Northern Hemisphere, where the skies are dark and clear and there aren't too many city lights or pollution. Try to watch from a rural or suburban area where there isn't too much light.
Meteor showers look best when there isn't much moonlight. This year, the moon will be only about 44% full at the peak, which will make it easy to see, as per a report by The Mirror.ALSO READ: iPhone 17 launch date leaked and here's when the phone will be available in shelves
The best time to see meteors is just before dawn, when the sky is darkest and the meteor radiant (the point in the sky where they seem to come from) is at its highest point.
The Perseids are well-known for how often and brightly they show up, unlike other showers. During the best times, you can see more than 50 meteors an hour, and some of them leave bright blue trails in the sky. NASA says that the particles that make these "shooting stars" are a little bigger than those in other meteor showers. This is why many of them look like big fireballs.
ALSO READ: 7 insane new features coming to iPhone 17 Pro, and it's launching next month The particles come from the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. The Perseid meteor shower happens when Earth passes through the comet's trail of dust and debris. The bits burn up in the atmosphere, as per a report by The Mirror.
So get a blanket, find a quiet place in the sky, and watch one of the most beautiful natural shows in the universe. The Perseids 2025 are here, and they are sure to put on a great show.
ALSO READ: iPhone 17 release date confirmed, Apple promises its most powerful iPhone ever - here's what fans can expect When is the peak of the 2025 Perseid meteor shower?The peak occurs overnight from August 12 to 13, especially between 3 and 4 a.m. EDT.
Will I need special equipment to see the Perseids? No. Just go outside, away from the city lights, and look up!
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