In 2021, the Perseids will peak on the night between Aug 12–13
August Meteor Shower
The Perseids are one of the brighter meteor showers of the year. They occur every year between July 17 and August 24 and tend to peak around August 9-13.
Comet Swift-Tuttle
Made of tiny space debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus. This is because the direction, or radiant, from which the shower seems to come in the sky lies in the same direction as Perseus. The Perseids are widely sought after by astronomers and stargazers because most years at its peak, one can see 60 to 100 meteors in an hour from a dark place.
What Time is the Meteor Shower Tonight
The table is updated daily when the Perseids are active and shows the position of the radiant in the sky for the upcoming night. The Perseids will be active starting Jul 17, 2021. Use the date drop down above the Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map to change dates.
| Perseids meteor shower for San Francisco (Night between August 11 and August 12) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time | Azimuth/Direction | Altitude |
| Wed 8:00 pm | 8° | 6.8° |
| Wed 9:00 pm | 16° | 9.2° |
| Wed 10:00 pm | 23° | 13.1° |
| Wed 11:00 pm | 29° | 18.3° |
| Thu 12:00 midnight | 34° | 24.5° |
| Thu 1:00 am | 38° | 31.5° |
| Thu 2:00 am | 41° | 39.1° |
| Thu 3:00 am | 42° | 47.0° |
| Thu 4:00 am | 40° | 54.8° |
| Thu 5:00 am | 34° | 62.0° |
| Thu 6:00 am | 21° | 67.6° |
Direction to see the Perseids in the sky:
- Azimuth is the direction, based on true north; a compass might show a slightly different value.
- Altitude is height in degrees over horizon.
How to See the Perseids
You don't need any special equipment or a lot of skills to view a meteor shower. Even though all you really need is a clear sky, lots of patience, and our handy Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map with a visibility conditions meter to see a meteor shower, the following tips can help maximize your shooting star viewing experience.
- Find a secluded viewing spot, away from the city lights. Once at the venue, your eyes may take 15 to 20 minutes to get used to the dark.
- Dress for the weather, and make sure you are comfortable, especially if you plan to stay out long. Bring a blanket or a comfortable chair with you—meteor watching can be a waiting game.
- Once you have found your viewing spot, lie down on the ground and look up in the direction of the radiant. Use our Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map or the table above to find the current direction of the radiant in the sky.
