The Perseid meteor shower peaked on August 12–13, 2025, dazzling stargazers across the globe. Despite a bright gibbous moon, many amazing shooting stars lit up the night sky.
The Perseids are a yearly event. They occur when Earth passes through the debris left by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. This year, the densest part of the comet’s trail was visible on August 12-13, resulting in countless meteors burning up as they entered the atmosphere. Since these meteors radiate from the constellation Perseus, many people gathered to watch this beautiful phenomenon.
In past years, the Perseids have delivered between 50 to 100 meteors per hour, but 2025’s display had to contend with the moonlight. However, many bright meteors still made their mark, delighting viewers and photographers alike.
Photographer Harlan Thomas captured stunning shots of the meteors alongside the northern lights from Alberta, Canada. “It was magical to see both the Perseids and auroras at once,” Thomas shared. Interestingly, last year’s peak also coincided with a strong geomagnetic storm, resulting in spectacular auroras across North America.
Josh Dury, another photographer, took an early shot of the meteor shower when the moon was less bright. “My long exposure captured 14 meteors in one shot. It was quite a challenge working with the timing,” Dury noted.
Statistics show that social media buzzed with excitement during the shower. Hashtags like #PerseidMeteor and #MeteorShower trended as people shared their experiences online.
The thrill of meteor watching isn’t just about the visuals. “There’s a sense of connection to the universe,” said science communicator Dr. Emily Driscoll. “These events often spark curiosity about astronomy and ignite a desire to learn more.”
The Perseid meteor shower will continue until August 23, though at a lower rate. So, if you missed the peak, there’s still time to catch a glimpse of these remarkable shooting stars.
If you want to explore more about the Perseids, NASA provides detailed information on their website.
Stargazing might just be the perfect way to connect with the cosmos, inspiring awe and wonder for all who look up.
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