One of the Best Meteor Showers in Years Is About to Light Up New York Skies

Love watching shooting stars? Same.

The Perseid meteor shower is almost here, and experts say 2026 could be one of the best years to see it! Thanks to dark skies during the peak, we could see up to 100 meteors an hour without needing a telescope here in New York.

Why Is This Year So Special?

The Perseids happen every summer, but this year is different.

The shower's peak falls during a new moon, which means the sky will be much darker than usual. With less moonlight, it will be so much easier to spot even the faintest shooting stars.

When Can You See the Perseids?

The Perseid meteor shower will be active from July 17 through Aug. 24.

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The best nights to watch are Aug. 12 and Aug. 13, especially after midnight but before sunrise. That's when the most meteors are expected to streak across the sky.

On the perfect night, skywatchers could see up to 100 meteors every hour.

You Don't Need a Telescope

The best part? You won't need any special equipment.

To get the best view:

• Find a dark place away from city lights.
• Let your eyes adjust to the darkness for about 20 minutes.
• Look toward the northeast and watch as much of the sky as you can.
• Be patient. Shooting stars can appear anywhere!

More Meteor Showers Are Coming Too

Two other meteor showers will also light up the sky this month:

• Alpha Capricornids: Active through Aug. 15 will peak on July 30. While they don't produce many meteors, they're known for bright "fireballs."
• Southern Delta Aquariids: Active through Aug. 23 will also peak on July 30, producing about 10 to 20 meteors an hour.

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What's Causing the Shooting Stars?

The Perseids happen every year when Earth passes through bits of dust and rock left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, not to be confused with Swift-Kelce.

As those tiny pieces hit Earth's atmosphere, they burn up and create the bright streaks of light we call shooting stars.

So if you've been looking for a reason to stay up a little later this summer, this might be it. Grab a blanket, head somewhere dark, and keep your eyes on the sky. You could be treated to one of the best meteor shows New York has seen in years!