How to see the Perseid meteor shower in Melbourne

August is shaping up to be a thrilling time for celestial sightings, from a mysterious meteor (or space junk?) shooting across the Melbourne skyline to the rising of two rare blue supermoons.

The first half of this year has also been jam-packed with astronomical events – we had a rare green comet make an appearance and a truck-sized asteroid whizz a little too close past Earth. To add to all the astro-excitement, the Perseid meteor shower will light up our skies on August 13, as one of the brighter annual meteor events. 

What is the Perseid meteor shower? 

The Perseid meteor shower is caused by Earth passing through space debris – bits of ice and rock –  left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle. The meteor shower is active from mid-July to late-August, but is expected to be at its brightest peak on August 13. For keen astronomers, look for the Perseus constellation to find where the meteors will appear and begin their soaring flight across the night sky. 

How can you see the Perseid meteor shower?

The meteor shower is expected to peak on August 13 at about 3am – the best time for meteor viewing is definitely in the hours between midnight and dawn. To increase your chances of being able to see the spectacle, go to the darkest possible location away from city lights. Set your sights on the northern horizon, as this is where the meteors should appear. Luckily, you don’t need any fancy equipment to see the display, but it’s a good idea to allow about 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark. Patience is key, so rug up, get cosy and relax while you gaze at the starry sky.  

Then, just sit back and watch the show – we promise you won't be disappointed! 

Love a stargazing session? Find out how you can see a rare blue supermoon later this month. Plus, these are the best planetariums in Victoria.