See The First Perseids As Solar Eclipse Nears: The Night Sky This Week
Stargazers are preparing for the Perseid meteor shower, which is set to peak in mid-August shortly after a total solar eclipse. The article provides a timeline of celestial events for the first week of August.
Why it matters
Public interest in astronomy and celestial events remains high, and this guide helps amateur observers plan their viewing sessions.
Science See The First Perseids As Solar Eclipse Nears: The Night Sky This Week By Jamie Carter ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. An award-winning reporter writing about stargazing and the night sky. Follow Author Aug 03, 2026, 02:00am EDT Topline August begins with a comet getting close to the sun, but for most skywatchers it will be about spotting early members of the Perseid meteor shower , due to peak overnight on Aug. 12/13 just hours after a total solar eclipse . Add a waning crescent moon and the possibility of a nova explosion, and Aug. 3-9 is a great week for skywatching.
Although the Perseid meteor shower peaks next week, activity is already underway. getty Timeline Monday, August 3 The waning gibbous moon rises late in the evening in the east, close to Saturn.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in