Perseids Meteor Shower · 2026
Perseids Meteor Shower
The Perseids are the most beloved summer meteor shower, peaking the warm night of Aug 12-13, 2026. NASA describes 50 to 100 meteors per hour under perfect conditions (about 25 per hour is typical in genuinely dark skies), with frequent bright fireballs from Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Best of all for 2026, the Moon is new at peak, so conditions are optimal. For an RV traveler, Cherry Springs State Park pairs a Rustic Campground with a dedicated astronomy field.
Peak & active window
Peak night of Aug 12-13, 2026; active Jul 17 - Aug 23, 2026 (per NASA)
Rate & parent body
About 50-100/hr at peak per NASA; ~25/hr typical dark-sky · Parent comet: 109P/Swift-Tuttle · Frequent bright fireballs · New moon = optimal in 2026
Where to watch
Any dark, moonless, low-light-pollution site with an open sky works; the Perseids appear all over the sky and are best after midnight as the radiant near Perseus climbs.
Nearest RV base
Cherry Springs State Park, PA - one of the East's premier dark-sky parks, with a Rustic Campground open mid-April through late-October (so August works) plus a dedicated Overnight Astronomy Observation Field.
Watch it honestly
Even with a new Moon, the 50-100/hr figure is an ideal-condition maximum - clouds, haze, and any nearby light pollution lower what you actually count. The show improves after midnight. No telescope is needed; recline with a wide view and give your eyes 20-30 minutes to dark-adapt. Weather and real rates always vary and are never guaranteed.
Confirm the peak timing and conditions with the source: NASA - Perseids .