The 2025 Perseid Meteor Shower: A Celestial Showdown

The annual Perseid meteor shower – among the most eagerly waited-for sky spectacle – is reaching its peak on the night of August 12–13, 2025. In this year, though, the show comes with a catch: a waning gibbous Moon, at a brightness of almost 85–90%, will illuminate the sky at the shower’s best times.

Though the Perseids normally produce 60–100 meteors per hour in perfect dark-sky conditions, the Moon’s brightness will obliterate several of the weaker streaks. Observers will see only 10–20 bright meteors per hour – principally the larger, brighter fireballs that still manage to make it through the moonlight.

Tips for Best Viewing

Time it right: The hours leading up to dawn on August 13 will provide the best opportunity to observe meteors.

Turn your back to the Moon: Stand so the Moon is at your back to minimize glare.

Get to a dark area: Get out of city light pollution to enhance visibility.

Wait patiently: Allow your eyes 20–30 minutes to adapt to the dark.

For those who want the full Perseid magic, try viewing in the days following August 16, when the Moon wanes, although meteor counts will be lower.

Even with the Moon’s shining surveillance, the Perseids will still catch you out with amazing fireballs blazing across the summer heavens—recall that nature’s beauty tends to shine with greatest brilliance when we least anticipate it.