Perseid meteor shower peaks 13 August with up to 100 shooting stars an hour
Clear skies forecast for London and most of England and Wales, but cloud will block views in Scotland and Northern Ireland
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Residents across London and the south-east can expect a rare celestial display in the early hours of Thursday 13 August 2026, as the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its brightest point. The Met Office forecasts clear skies for England and Wales, offering ideal conditions for viewing up to 100 shooting stars an hour.
The shower coincides with a new moon, which will darken the sky and improve visibility. The Royal Observatory has advised that eyes need at least 15 minutes to adjust to the darkness, with some experts suggesting it may take up to 40 minutes for full adaptation.
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Where and when to watch in Barnet
The Perseid meteor shower will be visible across all of Barnet, but residents are advised to seek out dark, open spaces away from street lights and tree cover. Hampstead Heath, Mill Hill Open Space and Totteridge Fields are among the local spots recommended by astronomy groups for unobstructed views.
The shower will peak between midnight and dawn on 13 August. While meteors will be visible across the sky, the Royal Observatory suggests looking towards the constellation Perseus, which rises in the north-east after sunset and climbs higher through the night.
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Why this year’s shower is unusual
This year’s Perseid meteor shower is the first in recorded history to coincide with a solar eclipse, according to Alfredo Carpineti, space and physics editor at IFL Science. Carpineti told MyLondon that he reviewed 5,000 years of NASA eclipse data and found no previous instance of a major meteor shower peaking on the same day as an eclipse.
The shower is caused by Earth passing through debris left by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 133 years. The Natural History Museum states that Swift-Tuttle is the largest object known to regularly pass Earth, with a nucleus measuring 16 miles across. As its fragments enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed, they burn up, creating the streaks of light known as shooting stars.
What to bring and how to prepare
Astronomers recommend dressing warmly, as summer nights can still be chilly. A reclining chair or blanket will help prevent neck strain from looking upwards for long periods. Dr Ashley King of the Natural History Museum told the museum’s website that patience is key: "You might not see anything for the first 10 minutes while your eyes adjust."
Light pollution will reduce visibility, so residents should avoid areas near major roads or commercial centres. The Met Office has warned that cloud cover will obscure the shower in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but skies over London and the south-east are expected to remain clear.
What happens next
The Perseid meteor shower will continue until 24 August, though the number of visible meteors will decline after 13 August. The next major meteor shower visible from the UK will be the Geminids in December 2026, which typically produces up to 120 meteors an hour.
Questions this report answers
+How many shooting stars will I see?
At its peak in the early hours of 13 August 2026, up to 100 meteors an hour may be visible from London and the south-east if skies remain clear. The number drops after the peak, and cloud cover will block views in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
+Where is the best place in Barnet to watch the meteor shower?
Dark, open spaces away from street lights and trees offer the best views. Local spots like Hampstead Heath, Mill Hill Open Space and Totteridge Fields are recommended by astronomy groups for unobstructed visibility.
+Why is this year’s Perseid meteor shower special?
This year’s shower coincides with a new moon, darkening the sky and improving visibility. It is also the first recorded instance of a major meteor shower peaking on the same day as a solar eclipse, according to NASA data reviewed by IFL Science.
+How long do I need to wait to see the meteors clearly?
The Royal Observatory advises allowing at least 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Some experts suggest it may take up to 40 minutes for full adaptation, so patience is important.
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