Perseids: Meteor shower visible from Greece for 2,000 years approaches

The Perseid meteor shower, a highlight of the summer sky, is set to peak on the night of August 12-13, 2026, with astronomers anticipating a brilliant show. This annual event, active from July 17 to late August, promises favorable viewing conditions this year.

A significant advantage for stargazers is the New Moon occurring on August 12. This celestial alignment means the moon's light will not compete with the fainter meteors, creating an exceptionally dark sky ideal for observation. The International Meteor Organization estimates a theoretical maximum of about 100 meteors per hour, though in dark, rural areas, the typical rate at peak is around 30 to 50 per hour. In perfect conditions, even more can be observed, a phenomenon that has been witnessed consistently for the past 2,000 years, according to NASA.

For those in Greece, the best strategy is to escape urban light pollution and find a location with a wide, open horizon. Meteor activity intensifies as the night progresses, with the hours after midnight, particularly before dawn, offering the most rewarding views. The IMO notes that the constellation Perseus, near the radiant point of the shower, rises higher in the northeastern sky during these late dark hours.

In Athens, the sun sets around 8:22 PM on August 12, leaving a substantial window for observation before dawn breaks. No special equipment is needed; the best tools are one's own eyes, a comfortable seat, and patience. Experts advise minimizing mobile phone use to allow eyes to adapt to the darkness.

The Perseids are caused by small particles shed by the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. As Earth passes through this debris trail, these particles enter the atmosphere at approximately 59 kilometers per second, burning up and creating the streaks of light we perceive as shooting stars.