August 10, 2025

The dazzling Perseid Meteor Shower will thrill sky watchers again in 2025, peaking on the night of August 12–13. Known as one of the most exciting annual meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere, this event offers an electrifying show of "shooting stars." Normally, under dark rural skies, you could spot up to 75 meteors per hour! But wait, this year brings a twist — a nearly full Sturgeon Moon will shine brightly, washing out some of the fainter meteors. The full Sturgeon Moon arrives on August 9, 2025, and stays almost full by the peak nights. For example, in New York, the moon will be about 84% lit and rise around 10:01 p.m. EDT, shortly after sunset and just before darkness fully sets in. This means the bright moonlight will limit the darkness needed for the best meteor views. However, don’t lose hope! The American Meteor Society shares some good news: despite the glowing moon, bright meteors will still streak across the sky. While you won't see the usual 50–75 meteors per hour, clear skies could gift viewers several bright shooting stars each hour. Want to boost your meteor spotting chances? Here’s a pro tip: face away from the moonlight. Since the Sturgeon Moon will hang low in the southern sky during summer, looking northeast—towards the constellation Perseus, where the meteors will appear to come from—gives you the best view. After the peak night, the moon rises later, offering more dark time but fewer meteors as the shower's action dies down. So, what causes this dazzling meteor show? The Perseids come from dust left by Comet Swift-Tuttle, a giant 16-mile-wide visitor that last zipped past Earth in 1992 and won't return until 2125. Each year, Earth zooms through this comet’s dusty trail, and the bits burn up in our atmosphere, lighting the sky with meteors. In short, mark your calendars for August 12–13, 2025! Facing northeast with your back to the bright Sturgeon Moon, prepare to catch some of nature's most spectacular fireworks. Ready for the celestial spectacle? Don't forget your friends and your comfy chair to enjoy the night sky’s glowing magic!

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Tags: Perseid meteor shower, 2025, Sturgeon moon, Meteor viewing, Shooting stars,