The Perseid meteor shower will peak on the night of Wednesday, August 12, into the early hours of Thursday, August 13, with the best views after midnight and before dawn
Emma O’Neill Content Editor
22:12, 06 Aug 2026Updated 22:49, 06 Aug 2026
The meteor shower will peak hours after the eclipse(Image: John Myers)
Stargazers throughout Dublin are in for an unusual spectacle this August as the yearly Perseid meteor shower reaches its climax just hours following a partial solar eclipse.
The timing means astronomy enthusiasts could witness two significant celestial phenomena on the same day, with the eclipse occurring during the evening before the meteor shower produces a spectacular display overnight.
When will the Perseid meteor shower peak?
The Perseids will reach their climax on the night of Wednesday, August 12, into the early hours of Thursday, August 13.
The optimal time to observe the most meteors will be after midnight and before dawn, when the point in the sky where the meteors appear to originate from, known as the radiant, is higher above the horizon.
During the climax, observers in locations with dark skies could witness dozens of meteors every hour, with the shower capable of generating up to around 100 meteors per hour under perfect conditions.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
What causes the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseids are one of the most renowned meteor showers of the year and are formed when Earth travels through a trail of dust and debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle.
As minuscule pieces of space rock enter Earth’s atmosphere at tremendous speeds, they burn up, producing bright streaks of light across the night sky.
The meteors are recognised for being particularly striking because they are often luminous, rapid and can leave glowing trails behind them.
Will the solar eclipse affect the meteor shower?
The partial solar eclipse will take place earlier on August 12, with the Moon moving in front of the Sun during the evening.
The eclipse will not impact the Perseids later that night, and the timing may actually improve conditions for viewing the meteor shower.
On Wednesday, August 12, the Moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun, creating a spectacular partial solar eclipse across Ireland. In Dublin, a remarkable 93.9% of the Sun will be covered at the eclipse’s peak, making it one of the deepest partial eclipses visible anywhere in Europe.
The eclipse will begin at around 6.12pm, with maximum coverage occurring at around 7.10pm.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The eclipse will then slowly come to an end at around 8.05pm, shortly before sunset.
A new moon means there will be minimal natural light in the sky, making it simpler to identify fainter meteors once darkness descends.
Best places to watch the Perseids
For the greatest chance of spotting shooting stars, experts suggest locating a spot away from streetlights and built-up areas.
Open countryside, beaches, parks and other locations with expansive views of the sky provide the best conditions.
Give your eyes time to adapt to the darkness before observing, and avoid looking at your phone as the bright screen can impair night vision.
No specialist equipment is required, with the meteors best observed with the naked eye as they can emerge anywhere across the sky.
Weather will determine how much of the display is visible
Clear skies will be vital for anyone hoping to witness the Perseids at their peak. Cloud cover may obscure visibility, however the meteor shower continues to be active from mid-July through to late August, meaning there should still be plenty of opportunities to catch shooting stars around the peak period.
With a partial solar eclipse followed by one of the year’s most popular meteor showers, 12 August could prove to be one of the most significant dates in the 2026 astronomy calendar.