Editing Perseids (section)

==Characteristics==
[[File:Perseids-EN-2025.jpg|thumb|250px|Appearance of the Perseids on 12 August 2025 at 23:30 local summer time]]
[[File:The radiant point for the Perseid meteor shower.svg|thumb|The radiant point for the Perseid meteor shower]]
[[File:P10220XX.01.49.MESZ.14.08.2019.Berlin.Perseiden.x0.1.gif|thumb|A [[meteoroid]] of the Perseids with a size of about ten millimetres entering the Earth's atmosphere in slow motion (x&nbsp;0.1). The meteoroid is at the bright head of the trail, and the [[Plasma recombination|recombination]] glow of the [[ionisation|ionised]] [[mesosphere]] is still visible for about 0.7 seconds in the tail.<br />([[c:File:P10220XX.01.49.MESZ.14.08.2019.Berlin.Perseiden.x1.0.gif|Variant of the animation in real time]])]]
[[File:Perseiden.Westhavelland.2020-08-12.webm|thumb|Video of two meteors of the Perseids within five seconds and a [[Starlink satellites|Starlink satellite]] in [[Cygnus (constellation)|constellation Cygnus]] taken in International Dark Sky Reserve [[Westhavelland Nature Park|Westhavelland]] on 12 August 2020]]

The stream of debris is called the Perseid cloud and stretches along the [[orbit]] of the comet [[Swift–Tuttle]]. The cloud consists of particles ejected by the comet as it travels on its 133-year orbit.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dan Vergano|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/sciencefair/2013/08/08/perseids-2013-meteor/2628521/ |title=Perseid meteor shower to light up night sky this weekend |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=2010-08-07 |access-date=2013-08-12}}</ref> Most of the particles have been part of the cloud for around a thousand years. However, there is also a relatively young filament of dust in the stream that was pulled off the comet in 1865, which can give an early mini-peak the day before the maximum shower.<ref>{{Cite web
 |title       = The 2004 Perseid Meteor Shower
 |date        = June 25, 2004
 |author      = Dr. Tony Phillips
 |publisher   = Science@NASA
 |access-date  = 2010-03-12
 |url         = https://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/25jun_perseids2004.htm
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100320071509/http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/25jun_perseids2004.htm
 |archive-date = March 20, 2010
}}</ref> The dimensions of the cloud in the vicinity of the Earth are estimated to be approximately 0.1 [[astronomical units]] (AU) across and 0.8 AU along the Earth's orbit, spread out by annual interactions with the Earth's gravity.<ref>{{Cite book
| title = The Cosmic Dust Connection
| editor = J. Mayo Greenberg
| date = 1996
| publisher = Springer Science & Business Media
| article = Cometary Dust Loss: Meteoroid Streams and the Inner Solar System Dust Cloud
| author= D.W. Hughes
| page = 375
| isbn = 9789401156523
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5MH0CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA375
}}</ref>

The shower is visible from mid-July each year, with the peak in activity between 9 and 14 August, depending on the particular location of the stream. During the peak, the rate of meteors reaches 60 or more per hour. They can be seen all across the sky; however, because of the shower's radiant in the constellation of Perseus, the Perseids are primarily visible in the [[Northern Hemisphere]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/perseid.html|publisher=timeanddate.com|title=Perseids Meteor Shower 2018
|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref> As with many meteor showers the visible rate is greatest in the pre-dawn hours, since more meteoroids are scooped up by the side of the Earth moving forward into the stream, corresponding to local times between midnight and noon, as can be seen in the accompanying diagram.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://meteorshowersonline.com/what_is.html |title=what is a meteor shower |access-date=2015-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817222301/http://meteorshowersonline.com/what_is.html |archive-date=2015-08-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref> While many meteors arrive between dawn and noon, they are usually not visible due to daylight. Some can also be seen before midnight, often [[Earth-grazing fireball|grazing the Earth's atmosphere]] to produce long bright trails and sometimes fireballs. Most Perseids burn up in the atmosphere while at heights above {{convert|80|km|mi}}.<ref name="Meteorwatch"/>

===Peak times===
[[File:The 2010 Perseids over the VLT.jpg|thumb|The 2010 Perseids over the [[ESO]]'s [[Very Large Telescope|VLT]]]]

{| style="margin:auto; clear:left" | class="wikitable"
! style="width:10%;"| Year
! style="width:25%;"| Perseids active between
! style="width:65%;"| Peak of shower
|-
|style="text-align:center;|2023
|style="text-align:center;|July 14 – Sep 01
|August 13 08:00 UT<ref name="AMS2023B"/> (8% [[Lunar phase#waningcrescent|Waning Crescent Moon]]). Earth may have crossed the [[Comet Swift–Tuttle#Historic observations|69 BCE trail]] around August 14 02:00 UT.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=IMOmeteors |number=1690642958645600256 |author=IMO Meteor Org |title=☄️☄️You think 2023 Perseid meteor show is over? It's not!<br/>Next night, Perseid meteor shower rates should remain decent, and there is a probability the Earth will cross a dust trail released from 109P/Swift-Tuttle in 68 BC on Aug. 14, between 01h and 02h45 UT. Keep on observing!}}</ref> The [[New Moon]] is on Aug 16.
|-
|style="text-align:center;|2022
|style="text-align:center;|July 17 – August 24
|August 12–13 ([[full moon]] on Aug 12)
|-
|style="text-align:center;|2021
|style="text-align:center;|July 17 – August 24
|August 11–12 ([[Zenithal Hourly Rate|ZHR<sub>max</sub>]] 150)<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-08-14|title=Perseid meteor shower of 2021 thrills skywatchers|url=https://www.space.com/perseid-meteor-shower-2021-thrills-skywatchers|access-date=2024-08-12|website=Space.com|author=Elizabeth Howell|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|2020
|style="text-align:center;"|July 16 – August 23<ref name=rmg>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-23|title=Perseid meteor shower 2020: When and where to see it in the UK|url=https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/space-stargazing/meteors-comets-asteroids/Perseid-meteor-shower|access-date=2020-08-02|website=Royal Museums Greenwich|language=en}}</ref>
|August 12–13 (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 100) (full moon on Aug 3)<ref name=rmg/>
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|2019
|style="text-align:center;"|July 17 – August 24
|August 12–13<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/space-stargazing/meteors-comets-asteroids/Perseid-meteor-shower|publisher=Royal Museums Greenwich|title=Perseid meteor shower 2019: When and where to see it in the UK|access-date=3 August 2019}}</ref> (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 80) (full moon on Aug 15)
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|2018
|style="text-align:center;"|July 17 – August 24
|August 11–13<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.space.com/32868-perseid-meteor-shower-guide.html|work=Space.com|title=Perseid Meteor Shower 2018: When, Where & How to See It|author=Sarah Lewin|date=July 9, 2018|access-date=20 July 2018}}</ref> (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 60)
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|2017
|style="text-align:center;"|July 17 – August 24
|August 12<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.space.com/32868-perseid-meteor-shower-guide.html|work=Space.com|title=Perseid Meteor Shower 2017: When, Where & How to See It|author=Sarah Lewin|date=July 26, 2017|access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|2016
|style="text-align:center;"|July 17 – August 24
|August 11–12 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/watchtheskies/perseid-meteor-shower-aug11-12.html|title=Perseid Meteor Shower 2016: When, Where & How to See It|access-date=2016-07-18}}</ref> (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 150)
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2015
| style="text-align:center;"|July 17 – August 24
|August 12–13<ref name="p2012-13">{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/jpl/asteroids/best-meteor-showers/ |title=Meteor Showers 2015 |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=2015-08-09 |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224031424/https://www.nasa.gov/jpl/asteroids/best-meteor-showers/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 95) (new moon on Aug 14)
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2014
| style="text-align:center;"|July 17 – August 24
|August 13 (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 68)<ref name="p2014">{{cite web |url=http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2014/ |title=Perseids 2014: visual data quicklook |publisher=Imo.net |date=2014-08-13 |access-date=2014-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024040047/http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2014/ |archive-date=2016-10-24 }}</ref> (full moon on Aug 10)
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2013
| style="text-align:center;"|July 17 – August 24
|August 12 (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 109)<ref name="p2013">{{cite web |url=http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2013/ |title=Perseids 2013: visual data quicklook |publisher=Imo.net |date=2013-09-23 |access-date=2014-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024034856/http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2013/ |archive-date=2016-10-24 }}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2012
| style="text-align:center;"|July 17 – August 24
|August 12 (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 122)<ref name="p2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2012/ |title=Perseids 2012: visual data quicklook |publisher=Imo.net |date=2012-10-22 |access-date=2014-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421081813/http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2012/ |archive-date=2014-04-21 }}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2011
| style="text-align:center;"|July 17 – August 24
|August 12 (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 58)<ref name="p2011">{{cite web |url=http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2011/ |title=Perseids 2011: visual data quicklook |publisher=Imo.net |date=2011-10-06 |access-date=2014-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106001831/http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2011/ |archive-date=2013-11-06 }}</ref> (full moon on Aug 13)<ref name="NASA2010-385">{{cite web |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2010-385 |title=How to See the Best Meteor Showers of the Year: Tools, Tips and 'Save the Dates' |publisher=nasa.gov |access-date=2010-11-16 |archive-date=2012-07-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721000859/http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2010-385 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2010
| style="text-align:center;"|July 23 – August 24
|August 12 (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 142)<ref name="p2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2010-119 |title=How to See the Best Meteor Showers of the Year: Tools, Tips and 'Save the Dates' |publisher=nasa.gov |access-date=2010-08-12 |archive-date=2012-07-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721001352/http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2010-119 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2009
| style="text-align:center;"|July 14 – August 24
|August 13 (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 173) (The estimated peak was 173,<ref name="p2009">{{cite web |url=http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2009/ |title=Perseids 2009: visual data quicklook |publisher=Imo.net |date=2010-04-26 |access-date=2009-08-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016083404/http://imo.net/live/perseids2009/ |archive-date=2016-10-16 }}</ref> but a [[lunar phase|gibbous Moon]] washed out fainter meteors.)
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2008
| style="text-align:center;"|July 25 – August 24<ref name="p2008">{{cite web |url=http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2008/ |title=Perseids 2008: visual data quicklook |publisher=Imo.net |date=2009-06-06 |access-date=2009-08-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024035510/http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2008/ |archive-date=2016-10-24 }}</ref>
| August 13 (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 116)<ref name="p2008"/>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2007
| style="text-align:center;"|July 19 – August 25<ref name="p2007">[http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2007/ Perseids 2007: first results<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927041829/http://www.imo.net/live/perseids2007/ |date=2011-09-27 }}</ref>
| August 13 (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 93)<ref name="p2007" />
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2006
|
| August 12/13 (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 100)<ref>EAAS</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2005
|
| August 12 (ZHR <sub>max</sub> 90<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.imo.net/perseids-2005-visual/ | title=Perseids 2005, visual |work= IMO | date=August 25, 2005 }}</ref>)<ref>[https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2005/22jul_perseids2005 22jul_perseids2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009114458/https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2005/22jul_perseids2005 |date=October 9, 2021 }} ''NASA.gov''</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2004
| style="text-align:center;"|
| August 12 (ZHR<sub>max</sub> >200)<ref name=jimo37_5_161/>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1994
| style="text-align:center;"|
| (ZHR<sub>max</sub> >200)<ref name="Kronk">{{cite web |url=http://meteorshowersonline.com/perseids.html |title=Observing the Perseids |publisher=Meteor Showers Online |author=Gary W. Kronk |author-link=Gary W. Kronk |access-date=2009-08-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719001838/http://meteorshowersonline.com/perseids.html |archive-date=2018-07-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1993
| style="text-align:center;"|
| (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 200–500)<ref name="Kronk"/>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1992
| style="text-align:center;"|
| August 11 (outburst under a full moon on Aug 13)<ref name=Brown1992>{{cite journal |last1=Brown |title=The Perseids 1992. New outburst announces return of P/Swift-Tuttle |journal=WGN |year=1992 |volume=20 |issue=5 |page=192 |bibcode=1992JIMO...20..192B}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1883
| style="text-align:center;"|August 9 or earlier<ref name="Corder1883"/>
| August 11 (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 43)<ref name="Corder1883">{{cite journal |last1=Corder |first1=H |title=1883Obs.....6..338C Page 338 |journal=Adsabs.harvard.edu |date=22 October 1883 |volume=6 |page=338 |bibcode=1883Obs.....6..338C |url=http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1883Obs.....6..338C |access-date=3 November 2018}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1864
| style="text-align:center;"|
| (ZHR<sub>max</sub> >100)<ref name="Kronk"/>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1863
| style="text-align:center;"|
| (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 109–215)<ref name="Kronk"/>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1861
| style="text-align:center;"|
| (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 78–102)<ref name="Kronk"/>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1858
| style="text-align:center;"|
| (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 37–88)<ref name="Kronk"/>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1839
| style="text-align:center;"|
| (ZHR<sub>max</sub> 165)<ref name="Kronk"/>
|}