One of the Summer’s Most Spectacular Celestial Events Is Approaching – Everything You Need to Know About the Perseids

08.08.2025

The Perseids are the best-known and most spectacular meteor shower of the summer, reaching their peak before dawn on 12 August, when 50–70 shooting stars per hour may be seen. With the help of researchers from the HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences (HUN-REN CSFK), we have gathered the key facts about this meteor shower.

The year’s best-known and the summer’s most spectacular meteor shower occurs in mid-August. Anyone who has seen it knows why it is so special: dozens of bright, fast meteors streak across the sky, and at its peak the shower can produce up to 100 shooting stars per hour.

When is the best time to look up at the sky?

The densest meteor activity is expected in the early hours of 12 August. However, it is important to note that the next full moon falls on 10 August, so even at the peak of the meteor shower the bright moonlight will illuminate the sky and reduce the number of visible meteors.

Meteors can reach speeds of up to 59 km/s. Under optimal observing conditions, a single observer may see between 50 and 70 meteors per hour, or even as many as 100.

Those who do not wish to stay up until dawn need not be disappointed: the radiant of the Perseids is already 25° above the horizon by 10 p.m., so shooting stars can be seen throughout the night. Furthermore, the activity of the Perseids lasts this year from 17 July to 24 August, meaning that beautiful Perseid meteors may also be spotted before and after the peak.

Where should we look?

On 12 August, the radiant of the meteor shower — the apparent celestial point from which the shooting stars seem to originate — will be located in the constellation of Perseus, about 65° above the north-eastern horizon, an ideal position for observation.

The researchers add that the radiant will remain above the horizon throughout the night, allowing the phenomenon to be followed for the entire night.

The Perseids take their name from their radiant, which lies in the constellation of Perseus. Although meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, the point of origin of the shower is in the direction of Perseus, making the Perseids primarily observable from the Northern Hemisphere. It is no coincidence that this is one of the most spectacular celestial events: each year, when the Earth passes through the dust cloud released by Comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle, tiny particles colliding with the atmosphere give rise to a brilliant meteor shower. The Perseids return every August, as this is when our planet crosses the comet’s orbit.

How should we observe the meteor shower?

Shooting stars are visible to the naked eye; no telescope is required to see them. As usual, they are particularly striking when viewed from a dark site free of light pollution, and meteors may appear in any part of the sky.

The best way to observe them can be summed up in three steps:

Choose a dark location away from light pollution.

The most intense activity is expected before dawn on 12 August, although it is worth noting that the moonlight will make only the brighter meteors visible.

Stay alert, as meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, not just near the constellation of Perseus.

On 12 August, there is more to see in the sky than just the Perseids

At 4 a.m., Jupiter and Venus will appear only about one degree apart in the north-eastern sky. The two brightest planets will form a striking “stellar pair” shining brightly some 15 degrees above the horizon. Fortunately, the pair can also be observed in impressive proximity on 11 and 13 August. Astronomers therefore suggest that if you dedicate the night to watching shooting stars, it is worth staying up until dawn as well.

For those seeking a varied astronomical experience, the Svábhegy Observatory is offering special programmes over several days from 9 August. As experts from the HUN-REN CSFK point out, visitors will not only be able to watch shooting stars, but also observe the most beautiful star clusters of the summer evening and the Moon’s ray craters through telescopes. Further details are available on the Svábhegy Observatory’s website.