When is the next Perseid Meteor Shower 2016?

Yes, it is time for another Perseid meteor shower and this year’s promises to be the best in years. The dates are August 11 and August 12 2016 and the best viewing time will be night, of course.

This year’s Perseid meteor shower promises to be a show, too, so we can only hope for clear skies.

The best time to watch on August 11-12: Between 9 p.m. central and the early morning hours the next day. So that means the night of August 11 (Thursday) is the best viewing time.

The Perseids are frequently the best meteor shower stargazers get to see all year so they are highly anticipated. NASA says this year’s Perseid shower will be better than usual, too.

“Forecasters are predicting a Perseid outburst this year with double normal rates on the night of Aug. 11-12,” said Bill Cooke of NASA’s Meteoroid Environments Office, according to USA Today. “Under perfect conditions, rates could soar to 200 meteors per hour.”

The good news is that watching the Perseid meteor showers are easy: just look up to the sky. No special equipment is needed.