Peak of the Perseid meteor shower on August 12-13: when and where to watch

In August, Russians will enjoy one of the brightest space shows of the year — the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. On the night of August 12-13, it will be possible to see up to 100 "shooting stars" per hour. Read about when it is better to admire meteors and how to observe them under a bright moon in the Izvestia article.

The peak of the Perseid meteor shower in 2025

The Perseids are a summer meteor shower active from July 17th to August 24th. Its peak always falls on August 11-12 for time zones west of Greenwich (Ireland, Greenland, North America) and on August 12-13 for time zones east of the prime meridian (most of Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Japan, etc.). On these days, the intensity of the "star rain" reaches 100 meteors per hour.

The parent body of the Perseids is comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle. Although it approaches Earth only once every 133 years, our planet crosses the plume left by it every year, so we can observe the Perseids every summer.

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The starfall radiant (a point in the sky that looks like the source of meteors) is located in the constellation Perseus, hence the name of the stream. In the Northern Hemisphere, after sunset, it appears in the northeastern part of the sky and gradually shifts to the zenith during the night.

What legend is associated with the Perseid meteor shower?

In Catholic countries, the Perseids are called the fiery tears of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who lived in the third century. He was a bishop and was in charge of the treasury of the Roman Church. When the persecution began, the prefect demanded that the temple property be given to the state. Lavrenty agreed, but asked for a three-day delay. During this time, he distributed all the gold and silver to the poor, and then appeared to the prefect and declared that the real treasure of the Church was people.

After that, the saint was sentenced to a terrible execution: the executioners burned him alive on an iron grate. And since St. Lawrence's memorial day falls on August 11 and coincides with the peak of the Perseids, the faithful decided that the starfall was the tears of a martyr.

What time is the peak of the Perseid meteor shower in 2025

According to the press service of the Moscow Planetarium, the Perseid meteor shower will peak on August 12 at about 23:00 Moscow time. You will be able to admire the starfall all night. However, it is important to take into account that the illumination of the Moon at this time will be 89%, which will make it much more difficult to observe. Therefore, the most optimal time to watch the "star show" is from the middle of the night and in the wee hours, when the Earth's satellite descends to the horizon.

Where will the Perseid meteor shower be visible in 2025

The Perseid meteor shower is clearly visible throughout the Northern Hemisphere. This means that you can enjoy it from anywhere in Russia, as well as in Europe, North America, most of Africa and Asia. The best view is for residents of the mid-northern latitudes. Closer to the equator, the intensity of the Perseids decreases noticeably, and in the Southern Hemisphere, the starfall is almost invisible.

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How to observe the Perseid Meteor Shower

You can admire the Perseids with the naked eye — clear weather and open skies are enough. However, due to the proximity of the starfall peak to the full moon, the influence of the Moon on the observation conditions should be taken into account.

How to watch a starfall with a bright moon

• choose a location away from city lighting and other bright light sources, preferably on a hill;
• position yourself so that the Moon is hidden by some object (tree, roof, mountain, etc.) — the sky will appear darker.;
• Start monitoring when the radiant is at its highest point.;
• look not directly at the radiant, but around it — in the "epicenter" of the starfall, mostly short meteors are visible.;
• do not light a fire or turn on a flashlight — the light from them will interfere with observation; it is also advisable not to look at the phone screen or switch all applications to "dark" mode, otherwise you will have to get used to the dark again.;
• Taking breaks every 10-15 minutes will help you stay focused.

Other astronomical events on August 12-13

In addition to the Perseid starfall, several other interesting astronomical events will take place on the night of August 12-13.:

• The approach of the Moon and Saturn. From August 12 to 13, a pale yellow dot can be seen next to the Earth's satellite - this is the planet. When observing through binoculars or a telescope, it will be possible to see the moons and rings of Saturn.;
• The convergence of Venus and Jupiter. During the Perseid peak, these planets will come as close to each other as possible. The approach is noticeable even to the naked eye, and with a telescope it will be possible to see the phases of Venus and the bands of Jupiter.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the features of the double starfall in July.