Perseids 2025: The Great Shooting Star Spectacle on August 12

On the night of August 12 to 13, 2025, one of the most impressive celestial events of the year will take place: the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. Every year in August, our planet passes through the trail of debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle, treating us to a spectacular light show in the night sky.

This guide provides everything you need to know to enjoy and photograph this year's Perseids.

When and Where to Look

The Perseids are active from mid-July to late August, but the best night to watch is the peak on August 12–13. The show's radiant (the point from which the meteors appear to originate) is in the constellation Perseus, which rises in the northeast after dark.

Under perfect conditions, you could see up to 100 meteors per hour. However, 2025 presents a challenge.

2025 Visibility: Fighting the Moonlight

In 2025, a bright Waning Gibbous Moon (around 84% illuminated) will rise in the evening, washing out many of the fainter meteors. But don't be discouraged! The Perseids are known for producing exceptionally bright meteors, including fireballs, which will remain easily visible despite the moonlight.

Best Time to Watch

The best viewing window is after midnight when the radiant is high in the sky, until dawn.

• Germany & Central Europe: 2:00 – 4:00 AM (CEST) on Aug 13
• UK & Ireland: 1:00 – 3:00 AM (BST) on Aug 13
• Eastern US (e.g., New York): 2:00 – 4:00 AM (EDT) on Aug 13
• Western US (e.g., California): 2:00 – 4:00 AM (PDT) on Aug 13
• Northern Hemisphere (general): From late night until pre-dawn, local time

For the best experience, find a dark location with a clear view of the sky, away from city lights. Use a light pollution map to find the darkest spots near you. Pro Tip: Find a great spot for astrophotography on Locationscout and add your own discoveries!

Tips for Photographers

Want to capture the magic? Astrophotography is challenging but rewarding.

• Gear: A sturdy tripod is non-negotiable. Use a camera with manual mode and a wide-angle lens (e.g., 14-24mm) with a fast aperture (f/2.8 or lower is ideal).
• Focus: Switch to manual focus. Use your camera's live view, magnify it on a bright star or distant light, and adjust the focus ring until the star is a sharp point of light.
• Settings (Starting Point):
  • Mode: Manual (M)
  • Aperture: As wide as possible (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8)
  • Shutter Speed: 15-25 seconds. To avoid star trails, a good guideline is the "500 Rule": divide 500 by your lens's focal length (e.g., 500 / 20mm = 25 seconds).
  • ISO: Start between 1600 and 6400. Take a test shot and adjust as needed.
• Technique: Shoot in RAW for maximum editing flexibility. Use an intervalometer or a remote shutter to take continuous photos. This dramatically increases your chances of catching a meteor in one of your frames. For composition, include an interesting foreground element like a tree, a mountain silhouette, or a building to give your photo scale and context.

In this video by Aliaume you will learn how to retouch your astrophotos in Lightroom.

What About My Phone? Capturing Meteors without a Big Camera

Don't have a dedicated camera? Don't worry! Modern smartphones are surprisingly capable of capturing the night sky, including bright meteors from the Perseids. While you won't get the same quality as a DSLR or mirrorless camera, you can still get some amazing results with the right technique.

What You'll Absolutely Need:

1. A Smartphone with Manual Controls: Your phone's camera app needs a "Pro," "Expert," or "Manual" mode that allows you to control settings like ISO, shutter speed, and focus. Most modern Android phones have this built-in. For iPhones, you'll need a third-party app like ProCamera or Halide.
2. A Tripod: This is the most critical piece of gear. You'll be using long exposures, and even the slightest movement will blur your photo. A small, portable phone tripod is perfect.

How to Photograph the Perseids with Your Phone:

1. Mount Your Phone: Secure your phone in the tripod and frame your shot. Try to include a bit of the horizon or a silhouette (like a tree or a building) for context.
2. Open Your Camera App: Go to the "Pro" or "Manual" mode.
3. Set Your Focus: Look for the focus setting (often shown with an 'MF'). Adjust the slider to infinity (it usually has a mountain icon). This ensures the distant stars are sharp.
4. Adjust the Settings:
   • ISO: Start with a value between 800 and 1600. A higher ISO brightens the image but also adds more noise (grain).
   • Shutter Speed: Set this to the longest possible duration, typically 10, 20, or 30 seconds. This is what allows your phone's sensor to collect enough light to see the stars and hopefully a meteor.
   • File Format: If you have the option, shoot in RAW (DNG). This captures much more data than a standard JPG, giving you far more flexibility when you edit the photo later.
5. Take the Shot: Use your phone's self-timer (a 3-second delay is perfect) or a Bluetooth remote to start the photo. This prevents you from shaking the phone when you tap the shutter button.

No Manual Mode? Try Night Mode!

If your phone has an automated "Night Mode" (like on recent iPhones, Google Pixels, and Samsung Galaxy phones), you can use that too! While it gives you less control, it's designed for these exact situations.

• Secure your phone on a tripod.
• Point it at the sky.
• The phone will automatically detect the low light and take a long exposure shot for you.

Be patient! Your best bet is to take many photos one after another. The more time your shutter is open and pointed at the sky, the higher your chance of capturing a brilliant Perseid meteor streaking by.

What to Bring: A Quick Checklist

For Viewing:

• A blanket or reclining chair for comfort
• Warm clothing (nights can get chilly, even in August)
• A red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision

For Photography:

• Camera with manual mode and a fully charged battery (plus a spare!)
• Wide-angle, fast-aperture lens
• Sturdy tripod
• Intervalometer or remote shutter

Final Thoughts

Even with a bright moon, the 2025 Perseids are a must-see event. The sheer number of bright meteors makes it one of the best showers of the year. So mark your calendars, find a beautiful dark spot, and get ready to make a wish or capture an unforgettable image.

We'd love to see your results! Share your Perseid photos and the spots you discovered on Locationscout!