This year, the Moon’s phase is favorable for observations. The new moon falls on August 12, so its light will not brighten the night sky. A deep solar eclipse also occurs on the same day, related to the same alignment of the Moon relative to Earth and the Sun.
The first Perseids will be visible as early as the evening
There is no need to begin observing only before dawn. Meteors can be spotted as early as late evening, once the sky has darkened sufficiently after sunset.
During observations carried out last night between 23:00 and 24:00, we recorded more than a dozen meteors. This means that the shower’s activity is already distinct before the actual peak.
As the night progresses, the Perseid radiant will rise increasingly higher above the northeastern horizon. From the perspective of an observer in Poland, this improves the geometry of the phenomenon and increases the number of meteors that can be seen.
The most meteors before dawn
The most favorable period will occur in the hours before dawn on August 13. Around 4:00, the shower’s radiant will already be high above the horizon, and activity should reach its highest level.
The forecast ZHR is about 100 meteors per hour. However, this is not the number that one person will automatically see during an hour of observation. ZHR refers to idealized conditions in which the sky is completely dark, the radiant is at the zenith, and the field of view is unobstructed.
In reality, the number of observed phenomena will be lower and will depend primarily on sky quality. Within large cities, the glow from artificial lighting can reduce the number of visible meteors by as much as about 70 percent.
The Perseids will remain active after the peak as well. Another opportunity will be the night of August 13–14, although the frequency of events should then be lower.
Which part of the sky to look at
The Perseid radiant is located in the constellation of Perseus, near the border with Cassiopeia. However, this does not mean that you should look at that section of the sky the entire time.
Near the radiant, meteor trails are usually short. Much longer trails can be seen farther from this point, so during observation it is best to take in as large a portion of the sky as possible.
From Poland, eastern and southern directions, as well as the high part of the sky, will be particularly favorable. The fewer streetlights, buildings, and other light sources there are nearby, the greater the chance of spotting fainter phenomena.
The new moon removes one of the main observational problems
During this year’s peak, the Moon will not interfere with observations. Its new moon occurs exactly on August 12, so the night sky will remain free of moonlight.
This is particularly important for fainter Perseids. When the shower’s peak falls near a full moon or first quarter, the Moon’s scattered light increases the brightness of the background and causes a significant portion of meteors to become invisible to the naked eye.
On the night of August 12–13, 2026, the quality of observations will therefore be determined mainly by cloud cover, atmospheric transparency, and the level of light pollution. This is the first opportunity in two years to observe the Perseid maximum without a strong effect from moonlight.
The shower originates from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle
The Perseids are produced when Earth enters a stream of material left behind by the periodic comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Particles distributed along its orbit enter Earth’s atmosphere and produce the brief luminous phenomena observed as meteors.
Much brighter objects also occur in the stream. Fireballs associated with the Perseids can reach negative magnitudes and temporarily outshine Jupiter.
After the brightest events pass, a greenish-gray trail may remain in the upper atmosphere. The streak, associated with the ionization and excitation of matter, can gradually deform under the influence of high-altitude winds and remain visible for many minutes, and in isolated cases even for several dozen minutes.
A telescope will not help with observing the Perseids
The best tool for observing the shower is the unaided eye. Binoculars and telescopes cover too small a section of the sky, while a meteor may appear anywhere within the broad field of view.
After arriving at a dark observing site, it is worth giving your eyes time to adapt. A bright phone screen quickly impairs night vision, so its use should be limited during observation.
For observations lasting several hours, a deck chair or reclining chair that allows you to look high above the horizon, as well as a blanket and a warm drink, will be practical. The greatest activity will occur only in the second half of the night, but the first Perseids can be sought as soon as darkness falls.