Are you ready for the best meteor shower of 2024? Every summer, the Perseid meteor shower peaks in mid-August, drawing tons of eyes to the sky for the evening. "Perseid" comes from the constellation Perseus, known as the radiant of the meteor shower. According to NASA , the Perseids boast 50 to 100 meteors per hour, making them one of the largest meteor showers.
The sound of a meteor shower may sound scary at first, but the Perseids are breathtaking to experience. Known for leaving long wakes of color, light and fireballs behind in the sky, your jaw will likely drop at the beautiful sight. Summer isn't over quite yet, and we can't think of a better last-minute item to add to your summer bucket list than seeing this phenomenon.
Outer space is a mysterious thing that feels so close, yet so far. Experiencing a meteor shower like the Perseids serves as a reminder of the beauty and mystery that the universe holds. Plus, it can truly remind you just how small you are—inviting you to pause and appreciate the magic around you.
Have we convinced you yet? Parade is answering all your questions about the Perseid meteor shower in 2024—including where and how to watch it, what causes them and more. Here's exactly how to see the celestial event happening this week!
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What Is a Perseid Meteor Shower?
The Perseid meteor shower is a meteor shower that occurs every summer, typically between mid-July and late August. It's one of the most well-known and abundant annual meteor showers. According to Space.com , the Perseid meteor shower is caused by Earth passing through the debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle.
Comets leave a dusty trail behind them when they come around the sun. Every year, Earth passes through this trail of particles and they enter our atmosphere at high speeds. Once the particles collide with Earth's atmosphere, they burn up and create bright streaks of light across the sky, which we witness as meteors.
When Is the Perseid Meteor Shower in 2024?
Technically, the Perseid meteor shower has been going on since July 14 and will end on September 1. However, EarthSky has reported that the peak is predicted for 14 Universal Time on August 12, 2024.
The Perseid meteor shower rises to an intense peak before rapidly falling off, so you definitely don't want to miss the peak! EarthSky reported the mornings of August 11 and 12 are your best bets for witnessing the shower.
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Where Does the Perseid Meteor Shower Take Place?
Ready to watch it? Luckily, the Perseid meteor shower is visible from many parts of the world, but it's most visible in the Northern Hemisphere. According to The Planetary Society , this is because the Perseid radiant is north on the sky’s dome. Still, the Perseids can be spotted as far south as the southern mid-latitudes.
The best viewing spots are in areas with dark skies, away from city lights. Think about rural areas, like national parks or farms. The American Meteor Society noted that most of the Perseids will be “earthgrazing," seen low in the east or west, traveling north to south. You may occasionally see one pass overhead!
How To Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower 2024
Folks located within the Northern Hemisphere have the best chance of witnessing this event with their own eyes! It's best to find a spot away from light pollution. If you want to watch the 2024 Perseid meteor shower in real life, consider one of the following spots:
- National parks and designated dark sky parks
- Remote beaches
- Mountainous areas
- Rural, countryside locations
- Local parks
- Local astronomy clubs or observatories
- Your backyard or front yard!
If you want to watch the 2024 Perseid meteor shower online, Space.com shared that astrophysicist, Gianluca Masi, will be hosting two free livestreams via the Virtual Telescope Project website and YouTube . If you want to join, the first livestream will begin at 9 p.m. EDT on August 11. The second livestream will begin at 9 p.m. EDT on Aug. 12—both coinciding with the anticipated peak activity of the Perseids.
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What Causes Perseid Meteor Showers?
The annual Perseid meteor shower is caused by Earth passing through the debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle. And the meteors in the Perseid shower appear to originate from the constellation, Perseus, which is where the name comes from.
As the comet travels through space, it sheds tiny particles—like dust and small rocks—which form a trail in its orbit around the sun. Each year, between mid-July and late August, Earth's orbit intersects this debris trail. When these particles enter Earth's atmosphere, they burn up due to friction with the air, creating meteors.
When Is the Best Time to View 2024's Perseid Meteor Shower?
According to the American Meteor Society, "As the morning progresses, the activity will increase as the radiant climbs higher into the sky. Theoretically, the best time to watch the Perseids is just before the break of dawn when the radiant lies highest in a dark sky. This is usually around 04:00 local daylight saving time. Experienced observers often say the hour between 03:00 and 04:00 is usually the best, not 04:00 to 05:00."
This corresponds with EarthSky 's report that the mornings of August 11 and 12 are your best bets for witnessing the shower.
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