The highly anticipated Perseids meteor shower is expected to reach its peak next week, particularly on the night of August 12 to 13, 2025. However, viewers may be disappointed this year as a bright 84% full moon will significantly hinder visibility, especially for the fainter meteors. The American Meteor Society indicates that the bright lunar conditions could reduce the number of visible meteors by at least 75%, resulting in an expected 10 to 20 meteors per hour, compared to what could be around 50 under darker skies.
Robert Lunsford from the American Meteor Society notes that the strength of the Perseids varies each year, largely influenced by lunar phases. With a waning gibbous moon present during the peak of the shower, most of the dimmer meteors will be washed out, making it challenging for viewers to enjoy the full spectacle.
The Perseids have been active since mid-July and will continue through August 23. For those hoping to catch a glimpse of the meteors, Thaddeus LaCoursiere, a planetarium program coordinator at the Bell Museum in Minnesota, suggests that observers may have better luck viewing the shower about a week after the peak, when moonlight will be less intrusive.
NASA recommends early morning as the prime time for viewers in the Northern Hemisphere, ideally before dawn when the skies are darkest. Observers can look toward the constellation Perseus, from which the meteors appear to emanate; however, the meteors themselves are actually debris from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which last passed through the inner solar system in 1992.
To maximize viewing conditions, Lunsford advises finding a safe, rural area away from city lights. The more stars visible in the sky, the better the chances of spotting meteors. Despite the challenges presented this year, the Perseids meteor shower remains a spectacular natural event that many look forward to experiencing.