The Perseids (PER) are active Jul 17 – Aug 24 and peak around August 12, 2027, with a zenithal hourly rate of about 100 under ideal skies. They come from comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle, hit the atmosphere at 59 km/s, and are best seen after midnight until dawn. The moon will be about 79% illuminated at the peak.
Peak
Aug 12
2027
ZHR
100
meteors/hour, ideal sky
Moon at peak
79%
Waxing Gibbous
Radiant
RA 48°
Dec +58°
Perseids 2027: best time and expected rate by state
| State | Best time (local) | Radiant altitude | Est. rate/hour (dark sky) | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4:25 AM | 57° | 84 | 80% |
| Alaska | 3:56 AM | 61° | 87 | 80% |
| Arizona | 4:07 AM | 58° | 85 | 80% |
| Arkansas | 4:43 AM | 58° | 85 | 80% |
| California | 4:21 AM | 58° | 85 | 80% |
| Colorado | 4:34 AM | 60° | 87 | 80% |
| Connecticut | 4:01 AM | 60° | 87 | 79% |
| Delaware | 4:18 AM | 59° | 86 | 79% |
| District of Columbia | 4:36 AM | 60° | 87 | 79% |
| Florida | 5:23 AM | 54° | 81 | 80% |
| Georgia | 5:18 AM | 58° | 85 | 80% |
| Hawaii | 4:34 AM | 48° | 74 | 81% |
| Idaho | 4:32 AM | 59° | 86 | 80% |
| Illinois | 4:16 AM | 60° | 87 | 80% |
| Indiana | 5:03 AM | 59° | 86 | 80% |
| Iowa | 4:25 AM | 60° | 87 | 80% |
| Kansas | 4:54 AM | 60° | 87 | 80% |
| Kentucky | 5:01 AM | 59° | 86 | 80% |
| Louisiana | 4:50 AM | 55° | 82 | 80% |
| Maine | 3:33 AM | 60° | 87 | 79% |
| Maryland | 4:35 AM | 60° | 87 | 79% |
| Massachusetts | 3:58 AM | 61° | 87 | 79% |
| Michigan | 4:35 AM | 60° | 87 | 79% |
| Minnesota | 3:52 AM | 59° | 86 | 79% |
| Mississippi | 4:34 AM | 56° | 83 | 80% |
| Missouri | 4:32 AM | 59° | 86 | 80% |
| Montana | 4:05 AM | 59° | 86 | 80% |
| Nebraska | 4:51 AM | 60° | 87 | 80% |
| Nevada | 3:59 AM | 59° | 86 | 80% |
| New Hampshire | 3:52 AM | 61° | 87 | 79% |
| New Jersey | 4:18 AM | 60° | 87 | 79% |
| New Mexico | 4:51 AM | 59° | 86 | 80% |
| New York | 3:58 AM | 59° | 86 | 79% |
| North Carolina | 4:59 AM | 58° | 85 | 80% |
| North Dakota | 4:25 AM | 61° | 87 | 80% |
| Ohio | 4:49 AM | 60° | 87 | 79% |
| Oklahoma | 4:58 AM | 58° | 85 | 80% |
| Oregon | 4:03 AM | 60° | 87 | 80% |
| Pennsylvania | 4:27 AM | 60° | 87 | 79% |
| Rhode Island | 3:55 AM | 60° | 87 | 79% |
| South Carolina | 5:04 AM | 57° | 84 | 80% |
| South Dakota | 4:00 AM | 61° | 87 | 80% |
| Tennessee | 4:12 AM | 58° | 85 | 80% |
| Texas | 5:18 AM | 55° | 82 | 80% |
| Utah | 4:50 AM | 60° | 87 | 80% |
| Vermont | 3:43 AM | 59° | 86 | 79% |
| Virginia | 4:38 AM | 59° | 86 | 79% |
| Washington | 3:51 AM | 61° | 87 | 80% |
| West Virginia | 4:48 AM | 60° | 87 | 79% |
| Wisconsin | 3:53 AM | 60° | 87 | 79% |
| Wyoming | 4:17 AM | 60° | 87 | 80% |
Computed for each state's central location on the peak night. Rate = ZHR × sin(radiant altitude); light pollution and haze reduce it further.
How to photograph a meteor shower
- Use your widest fast lens (14–24 mm, f/1.4–2.8) and point it about 45–60° away from the radiant, where meteors leave longer trails.
- Shoot continuously with an intervalometer: 10–25 s exposures at ISO 1600–6400 for as long as the batteries last.
- Bright meteors are rare — expect a handful of keepers from hundreds of frames, then composite them.
- Dew forms quickly on clear nights; a lens heater band saves the session.
- Choose a dark location from the state pages below and arrive before astronomical dusk to set up.
FAQ
When do the Perseids peak in 2027?
Around August 12, 2027; activity runs Jul 17 – Aug 24.
What time is best to watch the Perseids?
After midnight until dawn, when the radiant is highest and the sky is darkest.
Will the moon interfere with the Perseids in 2027?
The moon is about 79% lit at the peak. Plan to shoot when the moon is down or keep it behind you.