Up to a hundred meteors per hour: how not to miss the main starfall of the year and what you need to know before observing

In August, residents of Russia will once again be able to see one of the most spectacular astronomical phenomena of the year — the Perseid meteor shower. In 2026, conditions for observations promise to be especially favorable due to the absence of bright moonlight. When the peak of the starfall comes, how many meteors can be seen and how to prepare for observation — in the Izvestia material.

Perseid Peak - 2026: when will it come

The Perseid meteor shower is considered one of the brightest and most anticipated astronomical events of the year. Every year, it is observed by millions of people around the world, as it is this stream that is characterized by high activity, stability and favorable conditions for observations. In 2026, the Perseids will be active, approximately, from July 17 to August 24, and the maximum activity will be on the night of August 12-13.

According to the International Meteor Organization (IMO) and astronomical calendars, the Perseid peak in 2026 is expected on August 13 at about 03:00 Moscow time. It is during these hours that the Earth will pass through the densest part of the meteor shower, so the probability of seeing a large number of "shooting stars" will be maximum.

However, experts note that high activity is observed not only at the moment of maximum. A few hours before and after the estimated peak, the intensity of the starfall also remains high. Therefore, the whole evening of August 12, the night of August 13 and the predawn hours will be a favorable time for observations.

In 2026, the conditions for observation will be particularly favorable. The moon will be in the new moon phase, so its light will practically not prevent you from seeing even weak meteors.

Despite the fact that the maximum falls at a certain time, you can see meteors almost at any moment after dark. The flow becomes most intense after midnight, when the radiant — the area of the sky from which meteors visually "fly out" — rises higher above the horizon.

Accurate Slavic horoscope for 2026 for all signs

Where is the best place to observe the Perseid meteor shower

The Perseids can be seen from almost anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, including the entire territory of Russia. The quality of observations largely depends not on the region, but on environmental conditions.

Artificial illumination remains the main obstacle to observing a starfall. The light from large cities significantly reduces the visibility of weak meteors, so astronomers recommend traveling at least 20-30 km outside populated areas.

Open spaces with a wide view of the sky are best suited: fields, hills, shores of lakes and rivers, natural parks, steppe areas or mountainous areas. It is important that the horizon is not blocked by tall buildings, trees, or power lines.

Residents of Moscow are advised to choose the Moscow region for observations, while residents of St. Petersburg are advised to choose the Leningrad Region. A similar principle applies to other major cities in Russia.: The further away from the city lights, the more meteors you will be able to see.

No special optical devices are required for monitoring. On the contrary, binoculars and telescopes limit the field of view, so most bright meteors can be missed. It is more convenient to observe the Perseids with the naked eye, lying on a chaise longue or on a tourist mat and taking in as much of the sky as possible.

Although the stream was named after the constellation Perseus, which contains the meteor shower's radiant (the point in the sky from which meteors visually fly out), it is not necessary to look for "shooting stars" directly near it. They can appear in any part of the sky, and the brightest and most spectacular are often observed far from the radiant.

Why do the Perseids appear every August

The Perseids arise due to the annual meeting of the Earth with particles of cosmic matter left after the passage of comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle. This comet orbits the Sun about once every 133 years, leaving a huge amount of tiny dust particles and stone fragments along its orbit.

Every year, from about the middle of July to the end of August, the Earth crosses this dust trail. The particles enter the atmosphere at a speed of about 59 km per second. Due to the enormous speed, the air in front of them instantly contracts and heats up, and the particles themselves begin to glow and almost completely burn up at an altitude of about 80-120 km above the Earth's surface.

Eclipse, parade of planets and starfall: a unique space show on August 12 that is worth seeing

On August 12, three large-scale astronomical phenomena will coincide at once

It is these flashes that people observe as "shooting stars". In fact, most meteor particles are no larger than a grain of sand or a small pebble and are completely destroyed in the upper atmosphere.

The Perseids have been observed for more than 2 thousand years. The first written mentions of starfall are found in Chinese, Japanese and Korean chronicles of the I–II centuries A.D. A scientific explanation of the origin of the stream appeared only in the second half of the XIX century, when astronomers established a connection between meteor showers and the orbits of comets.

How many meteors can be seen during the peak

The Perseids are among the most active annual meteor showers. During the peak, their zenith hourly number (ZHR) reaches about 100 meteors per hour. This indicator means the number of meteors that could be seen under ideal conditions.: a completely dark sky, no clouds, and the location of the radiant directly overhead.

In reality, most observers see slightly fewer meteors. If you observe the stream away from the urban glare in clear weather, you can expect about 60-90 meteors per hour.

In urban environments, the number of visible objects is usually much lower: about 10-30 meteors per hour, as weak flashes become invisible due to artificial lighting.

The Perseids are known for their large number of so—called fireballs, which are very bright fireballs that can leave a glowing trail for several seconds after passing through. At the same time, the starfall activity is uneven. Sometimes, within a few minutes, you can see several bright flashes at once, and then there is a short break. This is due to the inhomogeneous distribution of particles along the comet's orbit.

The Big Parade of Planets: why millions of people will be watching the sky in August

In 2026, the astronomical event will take place on August 12th.

How to prepare for stargazing

To see as many meteors as possible, experts recommend pre-selecting a location with minimal light exposure and checking the weather forecast. Even a small cloud cover can significantly reduce the number of visible meteors.

It is better to arrive at the observation site 30-40 minutes before the start of observations. During this time, the eyes manage to adapt to the darkness, making even faint flashes visible. During the adaptation, it is advisable not to use a smartphone or at least turn on the night mode with minimal screen brightness.

For comfortable observation, it is worth taking a folding chair, a chaise longue or a travel mat with you, since you will have to look up for a long time. August nights can be cool even after a hot day, so warm clothes, a blanket and a thermos with a hot drink will be useful.

Astronomers recommend looking not strictly at the constellation Perseus, but about 40-60 degrees away from the radiant. This is where the longest and most spectacular meteor trails appear most often.

Those who plan to photograph the starfall will need a camera with a long exposure, a wide-angle lens and a stable tripod. Smartphones are also capable of capturing bright meteors, but the probability of getting a high-quality picture is much lower.

The main rule of Perseid observation is to be patient. Meteors appear randomly, so sometimes you have to wait a few minutes between bright flashes. Nevertheless, it is precisely due to the high activity of the stream that most observers manage to see dozens of "shooting stars" in the first half hour, and with clear weather and dark skies, the night of the Perseid maximum remains one of the most impressive astronomical sights of the year.