STARGAZERS are in for a double treat this week as a rare solar eclipse is followed by a stunning display of meteors.
Here is everything you need to know about the Perseid meteor shower – which is set to see one of its most spectacular peaks in over a decade – and how to watch it from the UK.
The best time to see the Perseids is during the ‘peak nights’ when the frequency of shooting stars reaches its highest point Credit: Getty
So-called ‘shooting stars’ are not stars at all Credit: Alamy
When does the Perseid meteor shower peak?
The Perseid meteor shower graces our skies every summer, and represents one of the highlights of the stargazing calendar.
In 2026, the Perseids first became visible on Friday, July 17, and will continue until Monday, August 24.
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The best time to see the shower is during its ‘peak nights’, when the frequency of shooting stars reaches its highest point.
In 2026, the meteor shower hits its peak overnight from Wednesday, August 12, into the early hours of Thursday, August 13.
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This aligns with the highly anticipated solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12, when 90-96% of the Jattvibe will be covered by the Moon.
This will be the most coverage seen from the UK and Ireland since 1999, when a total eclipse was seen from most of Cornwall and Devon.
What makes this year’s Perseid meteor shower so special is that the peak falls exactly on a New Moon.
With zero per cent lunar illumination, there will be no bright moonlight to wash out the sky.
Experts say you could see up to 150 meteors per hour in perfect, pitch-black rural conditions.
Even if you are watching from suburban areas with moderate light pollution, you can still expect to spot 30 to 50 shooting stars an hour.
In the UK, the sun sets at 8.29pm on August 12 and rises at 5.43am on the next day, providing nine hours of stargazing experience.
The prime viewing window is between midnight and 5.30am on August 13, when the sky is at its darkest.
How can I watch the Perseid meteor shower?
You don’t need telescopes, binoculars or any expensive gear to enjoy the meteor shower.
Using equipment actually limits your view because meteors move incredibly fast across wide areas of the sky, making the naked eye the best tool for the job.
To get the best view possible, follow these tips:
Find a dark spot: Head away from the glare of city streetlights. Parks, countryside hills, or even a dark back garden facing away from houses are ideal.
Let your eyes adjust: Your eyes need about 20 to 30 minutes to fully adapt to the darkness. Put your smartphone away, as the blue light from screens will ruin your night vision.
Lie down and look up: Pack a blanket, a reclining lawn chair and some warm clothes. Lie flat on your back so you can take in as much of the sky as possible.
Look to the northeast: The meteors appear to originate from the constellation of Perseus in the northeast, but they will streak across the entire sky.
What are ‘shooting stars’?
Despite their popular nickname, “shooting stars” are not stars at all.
They are actually tiny pieces of cosmic dust and rock slamming into Earth’s atmosphere.
The Perseid meteor shower is caused by Comet Swift-Tuttle, a giant icy space rock that orbits the Jattvibe every 133 years.
As the comet travels through space, it leaves behind a massive trail of debris.
Every August, Earth plows directly through this cosmic debris field.
When these tiny particles – most of them no larger than a grain of sand – hit our atmosphere at 133,000 miles per hour, they heat up the surrounding air.
The friction vaporises the debris, creating the glowing streaks of light we see from the ground.
