A Shooting Star Show in the Night Sky Starting August 12... How to Get the Best View

In Korea, Early Mornings of August 13-14 Offer the Best Viewing
Look for Dark, Open Skies and Scan a Wide Area

The Perseus meteor shower is expected to be visible in Korea on August 13, 2026, local time. The main observation periods in Korea will be from the night of August 12 to the early morning of August 13, and from the night of August 13 to the early morning of August 14.

According to the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute and other sources, the peak of the Perseus meteor shower will occur at noon on August 13. Since this falls during daylight hours in Korea, observation will not be possible at its maximum. However, the early morning of August 13 and August 14 will offer ideal viewing conditions due to the absence of the moon in the night sky.

Perseid Meteor Shower photographed at Bohyunsan Observatory in 2024. Photo by Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has also identified the period from the night of August 12 to the early morning of August 13 as the main observation window for this year's Perseus meteor shower.

The Perseus meteor shower occurs when dust and debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle collide with the Earth. As these tiny particles hit the Earth's atmosphere, they ignite, creating bright streaks of light in the night sky commonly known as "shooting stars."

According to the International Meteor Organization (IMO), the maximum number of meteors observable per hour during this year's Perseus meteor shower may reach up to 100. However, this can vary depending on factors such as city lights, the amount of cloud cover, and the chosen observation location. The best viewing conditions are when there is no interference from moonlight. In Korea, last year’s Perseus meteor shower coincided with a bright moon, resulting in less favorable observation conditions.

No telescope or binoculars are required to watch the Perseus meteor shower. Instead, it is best to observe from a dark place with a wide, unobstructed view. NASA recommends sweeping your gaze across a broad portion of the sky rather than focusing on one specific spot, as this increases the chances of seeing meteors.

In Korea, the National Gwacheon Science Museum is scheduled to live-stream the Perseus meteor shower and a total solar eclipse on its YouTube channel starting at 10 PM on August 12. The YouTube channel operated by the Seodaemun Museum of Natural History will also broadcast meteor shower observations on August 12 and 13.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.