Perseid Meteor Shower 2018 Peak Dates and Radiant Facts
The Perseid meteor shower 2018 peak occurred around August 11 to 13, with the maximum ZHR near 100 meteors per hour under ideal dark skies. The shower radiant lies in the constellation Perseus and becomes observable in the Northern Hemisphere after midnight local time. The 2018 peak aligned with a waning crescent Moon, reducing moonlight interference and improving visibility for casual observers and astrophotographers.
NASA and the International Meteor Organization track the Perseids using video meteor networks and global observer reports. The 2018 peak activity was broad rather than sharp, so rates remained elevated across several nights around the maximum. Observers at mid-northern latitudes typically saw the highest hourly counts after midnight when the radiant climbs higher in the northeastern sky.
Perseid Meteor Shower 2018 Peak Rates, Speed, and Parent Body
Meteor Speed, Brightness, and Persistent Trains
Perseid meteors enter Earth's atmosphere at about 59 kilometers per second, producing fast, bright streaks and frequent persistent trains. The 2018 peak favored fireball-producing brighter meteors because the stream contains larger grains shed by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle during previous returns.
Viewing Tips for the 2018 Peak
NASA recommended lying on your back facing northeast, allowing eyes about 20 minutes to adapt to darkness, and avoiding city light pollution. The 2018 peak viewing window extended from late evening on August 11 through dawn on August 13, with the best rates usually just before sunrise.
Perseid Meteor Shower 2018 Peak Context and Related Sky Events
Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle and Stream Dynamics
Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, with an orbital period of roughly 133 years, is the parent body of the Perseid stream. Each August, Earth passes through the debris trail, and the 2018 peak reflected the densest part of the stream where particle density is highest.
Comparing 2018 Peak Activity with Other Years
In years with enhanced activity, such as 2016 when outbursts reached over 200 per hour, the 2018 peak returned closer to the long-term average near 100 per hour. The 2018 peak still ranked among the most reliable annual meteor showers for observers in the Northern Hemisphere.
For background on meteor observation programs and public data, see NASA. For additional shower statistics and observer reports, see International Meteor Organization.