Best hours to observe:
11:00pm - 04:30am (GMT) Peak: Night of Aug 11 to morning of Aug 12 Best:While Perseids peaks on August 12th, we recommend observing starting August 1st, way before August 17th's full moon, for maximum visibility.
Peak: August 11, 12, 13
Shower rate: 15-30 per hour Time Zone: No UTC/GTM offset
While expected rates in your location may be high, several factors may interfere.
Moon phase will be fair for gazing at the Perseids meteor shower. The peak of this shower coincides with the Waxing Gibbous Moon, so the moonlight may interfere with viewing Perseids meteors.
Top recommended viewing locations:
Viewing locations are currently unavailable for this area; feel free to recommend a couple by clicking here.
Where to look up at the sky
In 2016, the peak of the Perseids meteor shower will coincide with a Waxing Gibbous Moon. This will not produce favorable viewing circumstances for observers expecting to get the full effect of this yearly summer experience. With upwards of 80 meteors per hour predicted, it may well be worth staying out to catch quite a few impressive bursts of light streaking through the night sky, even though fainter Perseids may not be visible due to moonlight.
On average, under completely clear skies, and in complete darkness, observers may witness 50 to 80 meteors per hour; but these rates can exceed up to 200 meteors per hour in rural locations. Be aware that local conditions such as light pollution, cloud cover, and precipitation will also play a major role in the number of meteors you are likely to see.
For the best viewing experience, find an area unobstructed by a structure that is far away from city lights. Using optical devices such as binoculars or telescopes is not recommended, as your field of view will be greatly restricted, thus making the possibility of missing a "shooting star" more likely.
Once you have settled down at your observation spot, face half-way up toward the northeastern portion of the sky. Looking northeast, you will have the constellation of Perseus, the radiant of the Perseids shower, within your field of view. Not coincidentally, the Perseids meteor shower is named after the constellation Perseus for the reason that they appear to originate from the sparkling Greek “hero.”
Looking directly up at the sky or into the radiant is not recommended since this is just the point in which they appear to come from. You are more likely to see a trail when looking slightly away from this point. Looking half-way up into the sky will lead to the best show in the house.
Watching a meteor shower is sometimes takes a great deal of patience, but if you wait long enough, you should be rewarded with a an experience that won’t soon be forgotten. Happy gazing!
Places & Viewing locations
Europe - United Kingdom
Related cities: London, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Bradford, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, and more.
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Thanks for visiting and we hope you enjoy the show!
Try not to look directly up into the skies of the world. Instead, look half-way up into the sky for the best view!
Perseids Fun Fact
Some Catholics refer to the Perseids as the "tears of St. Lawrence", since the tenth of August is the date of that saint's martyrdom.
Perseids Tip
Keep in mind that any local light pollution or obstructions like tall trees or buildings will reduce your making a meteor sighting. Give your eyes time to dark-adapt before starting.