One of the most beautiful nights of the summer is almost here.
The Perseid meteor shower, widely considered the best of the year, will peak in the early hours of Monday, August 12. Known for fast, bright meteors that often leave glowing trails behind them, the Perseids regularly produce 50 to 100 meteors per hour—and they’ve been inspiring awe for centuries.
Unfortunately, this year’s viewing conditions won’t be ideal, thanks to a bright 84% full moon lighting up the sky that night. But even with the glow, you may still catch some of the brightest meteors—especially if you’re willing to stay up late (or wake up early) and head somewhere dark.
Wait—what are the Perseids again?
The Perseids come from debris left behind by Comet Swift–Tuttle, which orbits the Sun every 133 years. As Earth passes through that cloud of dust and ice, tiny particles (some the size of grains of sand!) hit our atmosphere at 37 miles per second, heating up to 3,000°F and burning out in streaks of light we call meteors.
They’re named after the constellation Perseus, where the shower’s radiant—or point of origin—appears in the sky.
This isn’t a new phenomenon, either. Records of the Perseids go all the way back to 36 AD, when Chinese astronomers first wrote about a celestial display “more numerous than stars.” Since then, the shower has captured imaginations everywhere—from scientists to campers to John Denver, who was so inspired by a fiery Perseid display in Colorado that he wrote Rocky Mountain High.
How can I see the Perseids in Columbus?
If you want to make the most of your meteor watching this year, your best bet is to find a dark, wide-open space and go out in the early morning hours—after midnight and before dawn. And this year, you don’t have to travel far to do it.
Metro Parks is hosting a special Perseids viewing party at Glacier Ridge Metro Park from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Monday, August 12. It’s one of the rare times the park opens its gates during the night, and they’ll have an info table and treats to keep you company while you stargaze. The event takes place in the Wind and Solar Lot, and while the rest of the park is closed, you’re welcome to bring binoculars, telescopes, blankets, and lawn chairs.
🗓️ When: August 12, 2 a.m.–4 a.m.
📍 Where: Glacier Ridge Metro Park, 9801 Hyland-Croy Rd., Plain City
🎟️ What to bring: Lawn chair, blanket, binoculars, camera, maybe coffee
Can’t make it to Glacier Ridge?
You can still catch some of the action from your backyard or a nearby field. Just try to get away from streetlights, let your eyes adjust to the dark for 20–30 minutes, and avoid looking directly at the moon. You don’t need to look in any specific direction—the meteors can appear all over the sky.
A few viewing tips:
- Arrive early to get set up and let your vision adjust.
- Leave your phone off or face down—the light ruins your night vision.
- Avoid the Moon’s glare by using a building or tree to block it.
- Don’t use a telescope for meteor viewing—they move too fast!
- Be patient—even on a good night, meteors come in waves.
Is it still worth staying up this year?
Even with the bright moon, you can still spot the brighter Perseids, especially fireballs. And for a lot of people, watching even one meteor streak across the sky is enough to feel a little magic. Whether you’re camping, hanging out in the park, or just stepping out into the backyard in your pajamas, the Perseids are always worth a look.
