Perseid meteor shower peaks in early hours after UK solar eclipse

The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak in the early hours of Thursday, 13 August, just hours after the solar eclipse wowed millions across the UK

Britain's first solar eclipse since 1999 coincides with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower on 12th August 2026.

Today's solar eclipse will coincide with the peak of one of the year's most spectacular meteor showers - here's everything you need to know about the Perseids

The annual Perseid meteor shower is set to light up the night sky this week after a solar eclipse, providing a stunning display for UK stargazing events fans - here's the best times to watch

The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most spectacular of the year and will be visible across the UK if skies are clear, with peak viewing between midnight and 5.30am on 12-13 August

Between midnight and 5.30am on Thursday morning will be the ideal viewing time for Perseids, according to experts.

Between midnight and 5.30am on Thursday morning will be the ideal viewing time for Perseids, according to experts.

Space enthusiasts across the UK will be treated to two spectacular displays within hours on Wednesday as the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak.

Solar eclipses happen about twice a year. Visible meteor showers, meanwhile, occur up to 30 times annually. But it’s a lot less common for the events to happen together. Happily, UK stargazers have just that combination to look forward to in the next few days. The BBC suggested the “main UK [sky gazing] event” of 2026 is likely to be the coming solar eclipse. And as it turns out, it’ll happen within the same 24-hour stretch as the Perseid meteor shower in what’s been termed a “cosmic double whammy”.When will a solar eclipse coincide with a meteor shower in 2026?This is expected to happen on August 12, 2026.The partial solar eclipse (90% of the sun will appear to be covered by the moon) will start at around 6:17pm London time (the exact minute will vary across the UK). The greatest coverage, meanwhile, will be seen at 7:12pm London time. The eclipse will mark the greatest coverage of the sun seen in the UK since 1999.The Perseid meteor shower, meanwhile, is expected to run from 17 July to 24 August. But it’s going to “peak” the night of 12-13 August – just hours after the amazing eclipse.That means the greatest number of meteors are expected to fall on that night, leading to an unusually dazzling display. How can I see the solar eclipse and meteor shower combination? Just how covered the sun will appear to be in 2026′s eclipse depends on your location. Spain might be the best place to catch it, but the UK’s in a pretty great spot this year, too.Some particularly stunning views, with up to 90% coverage, are predicted in cities like: Glasgow,Belfast,Manchester,Liverpool, Birmingham. If you’re considering travelling abroad for the event, the Republic of Ireland will have even better odds. Cork is going to see 96% coverage, while Dublin will get an impressive 94%.Please don’t look directly at the sun during a solar eclipse. That can damage your vision. Instead, wear certified solar eclipse glasses. Or, you can tune into Royal Museum Greenwich’s live stream of the event, which runs from 6:15-7:30pm on 12 August (it’s free!). As for the Perseid meteor shower, you won’t need special equipment to watch it – just patience, clear skies, and a lack of light pollution.The best, most “dramatic” views will probably come after midnight when the sky is darker.Speaking to the Natural History Museum, planetary scientist Dr Ashley King said: “The darker the skies, the better your chances of seeing the really faint meteors as well... You could go to the coast or stand on a hill in the middle of the countryside somewhere.” But don’t expect instant results, the expert continued.“You might not be able to see anything for the first 10 minutes while your eyes adjust to the dark... Once you get used to the low light levels you’ll begin to notice more and more. So don’t give up too quickly.”Related...Kim Kardashian Shares The Conspiracy Theory She Fully Believes And... WoofSir David Attenborough On The 1 Thing We Can Do To Help Kids Learn About Our PlanetResearchers Find New Planet Larger Than Jupiter Through Rare Einstein-Predicted Method

The eclipse will begin just after 6pm on 12 August, reaching its maximum just over an hour laterThe annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak this week on the night of 12-13 August, and this year comes with an added bonus. Earlier on 12 August, a deep partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK.The partial solar eclipse begins shortly after 6pm BST and reaches its maximum at around 7.13pm. From much of the country, about 90% of the sun’s diameter will be obscured, making this the deepest solar eclipse visible here since 1999. The sun will be low in the western sky throughout the event, so choose a location with a clear horizon. Continue reading...