The Perseid meteor shower will peak on the night of August 12–13, and this year it will be especially visible in Ukraine because of the new moon, which will not brighten the sky. NBC News and astronomical resources report this, UNN writes.
Details
The Perseids can be observed every year from approximately mid-July to the end of August, when Earth passes through the stream of debris from comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle. Dust particles and other material enter the atmosphere at high speed and burn up, creating bright streaks known as "shooting stars." The peak of activity in 2026 will occur on the night of August 12–13.
This year, the viewing conditions will be more favorable than usual. The Perseid peak coincides with the new moon, so bright moonlight will not interfere with seeing fainter meteors. Under dark skies and favorable weather conditions, dozens of meteors per hour may be visible, and under ideal conditions, their number may approach 100.
In Ukraine, the best time to observe the Perseids is after midnight, when the meteor shower becomes more active. The greatest chances of seeing shooting stars will be during the second half of the night—closer to dawn. No telescope or binoculars are needed for observation: it is better to look with the naked eye in order to take in as large an area of the sky as possible.
How to See the Perseids in Ukraine
For observation, it is worth traveling as far as possible from cities, street lighting, and other sources of light pollution. An open location with a wide view of the sky is best. Before observing, it is advisable to give your eyes at least 15–20 minutes to adapt to the darkness and avoid using a bright smartphone screen.
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It is not necessary to look directly at the constellation Perseus. The shower's radiant—the point from which the meteors appear to fly out—is located there, but individual flashes may appear across a significant portion of the sky. Therefore, the best strategy is to lie down or sit so that you can see as large an area of the sky as possible and observe for an extended period.
On August 12, Ukraine will also fall within the visibility zone of a partial solar eclipse. In Kyiv, it will begin at approximately 20:14, reach its maximum at around 20:18, and end at about 20:23 Kyiv time. The eclipse will not reach totality in Ukraine.
After the eclipse ends, you can wait for darkness and then turn to observing the Perseids. The meteor shower will remain active after the peak, but the night of August 12–13 is considered the best time to observe it in 2026.