How to watch the Perseid meteor shower this weekend

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — The Perseid meteor shower is a weeks-long, fireball-filled event that happens annually.

This year, the meteor shower's peak will take place on Sunday night.

If you want to catch a glimpse, there are a few things you should know if you plan to get the best possible view.

What time will the Perseid meteor shower peak?

According to NASA's prep guide for the 2024 Perseid meteor shower, the peak of activity is expected to be the night of Sunday, Aug. 11, into the morning of Monday, Aug. 12.

It's best to wait until after the moon has set, giving you the most darkness in the sky. You can find your moonset time here.

But while this Sunday night will be the most active time for the meteor shower, you'll still be able to see Perseid meteors after this weekend. In fact, you may have seen some already. The American Meteor Society says meteor shower activity will still be strong the night before and the night after the maximum on Sunday.

In 2023, the Perseids lasted from July 14 until Sept. 1, so it's still possible to witness the phenomenon outside the peak. You'll just need to get lucky.

Will there be fireballs?

Yes! Perseid meteors are cast-off debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet, an unusually large comet about 16 miles in diameter.

Because of its size, the comet creates a large amount of meteoroids; these meteors only need to be one millimeter across or larger to have the ability to produce a fireball. It's because of this that the Perseid meteor shower makes more fireballs than any other, and is why NASA considers it "the best meteor shower of the year."

If you do see a fireball, you can also report it to the American Meteor Society.

Where you can watch it

Depending on where you live, you may not even need to leave your backyard for a great view of the Perseid meteor shower. Keep in mind that urban areas have more light pollution than rural areas, which can make it difficult or even impossible to see some meteors depending on how bright they are.

But, if you live in a city, you don't have to travel hours away to a completely dark area to get a decent view. Going just a few miles out of town can dramatically improve night sky visibility. If you want to find a suitable location with minimal light, websites like Light Pollution Map or Dark Site Finder will show you the levels of light pollution in your area.