A few hours after the solar eclipse, night - sky enthusiasts can admire Perseidas, an annual meteor shower that promises between 50 and 100 meteors per hour.
© APOD
10/08/2026
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Athe fact is that the solar eclipse on wednesday, august 12th, is the great astronomical phenomenon of this summer, the truth is that on the same day there will be another annual phenomenon to which we have been accustomed during this month of august.
We are talking about Perseidas, a meteor shower that can be seen between the night of 12 and the morning of August 13 and that will allow the aficionados by observing the night sky to admire the passage of light tracks for almost all night.
Although Perseidas can also be observed during the nights of August 11 and 14, it will be during the night of 12 and 13 that the phenomenon will reach its “peak” in 2026.
Remember that these meteor showers are the result of the passage of 109P/Swift-Tuttle, a comet orbiting the Sun every 133 years. The comet is expected to make its next passage only in the year 2125.
According to NASA, more alert observers with more favorable weather conditions may have the opportunity to see between 50 to 100 meteors per hour.
The best way to observe Perseidas is during 02:00 and 05:00 – a period where the total absence of light will contribute more to increasing your chances. Although the early morning hours also allow you to admire the passage of some meteors, the presence of light may present some difficulties.
As is customary in these meteor showers, it is convenient to look for a place far from the big cities and the artificial light generated by urban centers. Moreover, it should be done a few hours earlier to get your eyes used to the darkness, which will facilitate meteor detection.