One of summer’s most reliable sky shows is here — and the Perseid meteor shower will hit its peak Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning. Stargazers across New York and beyond can expect dozens of meteors streaking across the sky, weather permitting.
When to look up
- Peak window: Near and after midnight until dawn on Wednesday, August 13
- Best direction: Toward the constellation Perseus in the northeast sky
- Why now?: Earth is passing through the densest part of the dust trail left by Comet Swift-Tuttle
Moonlight may dim the show
This year’s display comes just days after a full moon, which means faint meteors could be harder to spot. NASA estimates viewers may see 10–20 meteors per hour — roughly one every 3–6 minutes — compared to as many as 60 per hour in darker years.
Weather forecast for viewing
Current forecasts call for clear to partly cloudy skies across much of the state Tuesday night, with mild overnight temperatures in the 70s. Some clouds could move in toward morning, so the earlier hours after midnight may offer the clearest views.
How to get the best view
- Get away from city lights for darker skies
- Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the dark
- Look up without binoculars or telescopes — they limit your field of vision
- Bring a reclining chair or blanket for comfort
Key takeaway
Even with the moon’s interference, the Perseid meteor shower remains one of the most impressive annual celestial events. Find a dark spot, face northeast, and enjoy a summer night under streaking stars.
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