The Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak on the night of Wednesday, August 12, into the early hours of Thursday, August 13 – just hours after a partial solar eclipse over Wales. This remarkable timing means stargazers could witness two significant celestial phenomena on the same day.
When to watch the Perseids
The optimal viewing time for the greatest number of meteors will be after midnight and before sunrise, when the radiant – the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate – sits higher above the horizon. During peak activity, observers in locations with minimal light pollution could witness dozens of meteors each hour, with the shower potentially generating up to approximately 100 meteors per hour under perfect conditions.
What causes the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseids occur when Earth traverses a trail of dust and debris left in the wake of Comet Swift-Tuttle. As minuscule fragments of space rock enter Earth's atmosphere at tremendous speeds, they incinerate, producing brilliant streaks of light across the night sky. The meteors are renowned for being particularly striking because they tend to be bright, swift and can leave luminous trails in their wake.
Solar eclipse timing and impact
The partial solar eclipse will occur earlier on August 12, with the Moon passing across the face of the Sun during the evening hours. The eclipse will have no bearing on the Perseids later that night, and the timing could in fact improve conditions for viewing the meteor shower. The eclipse will begin shortly after 6pm, with the maximum eclipse taking place at around 7.10pm to 7.13pm before the event ends shortly after 8pm. Exact timings will vary slightly depending on location.
In Cardiff, the eclipse begins at 6.16pm, reaches maximum at 7.13pm, and ends at 8.07pm, with maximum coverage of around 93.9% of the Sun. In Swansea, timings are similar, with maximum coverage of around 94%. In Bangor, the eclipse begins at 6.13pm, peaks at 7.10pm, and ends at 8.04pm, with 92.7% coverage. In Aberystwyth, it begins at 6.15pm, peaks at 7.12pm, and ends at 8.06pm, with 93.1% coverage.
A new moon means there will be minimal natural light pollution in the sky, making it far easier to spot dimmer meteors once darkness descends.
Best places to watch the Perseids
For the greatest chance of spotting shooting stars, experts advise seeking out a location well away from street lighting and urban areas. Open countryside, beaches, parks and other spots with expansive views of the sky provide the most favourable conditions. Allow your eyes sufficient time to adjust to the darkness beforehand, and resist the temptation to check your phone, as the bright screen can impair night vision. No specialist equipment is required, with meteors best observed with the naked eye as they can streak across any part of the sky.
Weather and viewing prospects
Clear skies will be absolutely crucial for anyone hoping to witness the Perseids at their spectacular best. Cloud cover may obscure the spectacle, but the meteor shower continues from mid-July through to late August, providing further opportunities to witness shooting stars around its peak. With a partial solar eclipse followed by one of the year's most anticipated meteor showers, August 12 could emerge as one of the most significant dates in the 2026 astronomy calendar.
