Perseids 2025 peak dimmed by bright moon

Astronomy experts say the Perseid meteor shower will be dimmed by a bright moon at the peak, making timing crucial for viewers.

Perseids 2025 Peak Dimmed by Bright Moon

The Perseids, summer’s best meteor shower, are approaching their peak. This year a bright Moon will dampen the peak in the early hours, prompting experts to suggest waiting a week for darker skies.

Under dark skies without Moon, observers can see 60 to 100 meteors per hour, according to the American Meteor Society. With the Moon near 84 percent full at the peak, viewers may see about 10 to 20 meteors per hour. Thaddeus LaCoursiere of the Bell Museum says it is better to go out a bit later, about a week after the official peak, when the sky is darker. No special equipment is needed, and looking up away from city lights helps. The Perseids come from debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle and burn up in the atmosphere, creating brief glowing trails.

The timing of this shower highlights a common challenge for stargazers: light pollution and the Moon. The advice to wait for darker skies shows how science outreach adapts to imperfect conditions while still inviting people to look up. It also reminds us that the night sky remains accessible to everyone.

If many people skip the peak, there is still value in public observations and education. The story is not about a single moment but about a season of small experiences that build long term interest in science. Simple, no equipment skywatching is a healthy antidote to screens.

Highlights

Patience and a clear night sky can turn a routine moment into a memory