ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Perseid meteor shower is making its 2026 debut this week, with viewing events taking place around the entire world.
The Perseids are a prolific meteor shower that can typically be viewed each year in July and August. Made up of tiny pieces of rock and dust left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, the Earth passes by this debris trail each year in its annual trip around the sun. The meteor shower is known for producing brightly colored, long-lasting meteors, making it a favorite event for space enthusiasts.
Peak times to view the meteor shower globally are thought to be on Aug. 12 and 13, but Maryland is likely to have better views later in the week, on Aug. 14 and 15. Experts say that viewers may see as many as 50 to 100 meteors per hour.
To see the meteor shower, find a dark-sky spot with minimal to no light pollution. Give your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust to the dark and avoid looking directly at the moon. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources says the best time to see meteors is after midnight, and you should be able to see about 60 an hour.
If you’re unsure about a spot or don’t want to watch on your own, you can also try joining one of these watch parties in Maryland:
- Star Party In The Park at Fort Frederick State Park, Aug. 15, 8-11:30 p.m.
- Gaithersburg Community Museum Skywatching 2026, Aug. 15 at 9:30 p.m., includes a screening of Project Hail Mary
- NASA Summer Start Shower Virtual Watch Party, Aug. 12 at 11 p.m.
The two events on Aug. 15 are a bit of a drive for Southern Maryland residents since they’re taking place at observatories and high points in the state. While mountain locations will offer the best views, experts say you should be able to see meteors from plenty of vantage points as long as there’s a dark enough sky.
And, if you happen to be in Iceland, northern Spain and eastern Greenland, you can also see a total solar eclipse, according to Maryland DNR.
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