Perseid meteor shower starts tonight: Here's where, when to watch fireballs across the sky
The Perseids meteor shower is just one of three active meteor showers in the month of July 2025 — and the most popular — as they peak during the warm August nights as seen from the northern hemisphere.
The meteor showers are particles released from the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle during its numerous returns to the inner solar system and its called Perseids because the area of the sky where the meteors originate is located near the constellation of Perseus.
The Perseids are active from July 17 through Aug. 23, while the Alpha Capricornids kicked off on July 12 and the Southern delta Aquariids will become active on July 18.
Here's what to know about all the July meteor showers, when they peak, where to get the best views and what are the moon phases.
When is the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseid meteor shower of July 2025 is active from July 17 through Aug. 23 and will peak on the night of Aug 12-13. This will be very close to the August full moon — Aug. 9.
According to the American Meteor Society, the Perseids potential can reach 50-75 shooting meteors per hour for stargazers and they will be best viewed after midnight. Note that they can appear from any direction.
When is the Alpha Capricornids meteor shower?
The Alpha Capricornids are active from July 12 through August 12 and will peak on the night of July 29-30 and can be seen from both sides of the equator.
While the Alpha Capricornids do not produce many shower meteors per hour, it is known for its number of very bright fireballs, described as 'vivid' and 'brilliant bursts' by Forbes.
When are the Southern delta Aquariids?
The Delta Aquariids are a strong meteor shower that kick off on July 18 through Aug. 12 and they will peak on the night of July 29-30. They aren't known for being the brightest, but they do produce between 10-20 meteors per hour near their peak.
No equipment is needed to watch the meteor showers, just patience and preferably a dark sky.
What are the moon phases for July 2025?
🌓 First Quarter: July 2.
🌕 Full Moon: July 10.
🌗 Last Quarter: July 18.
🌑 New Moon: July 24.
🌓 First Quarter: Aug. 1
When is the next full moon?
The August full moon, known as the sturgeon moon, will be visible on Aug. 9, 2025.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: When's the next meteor shower? Where can you see Perseid meteor shower
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