Which hemisphere generally offers the best view of the 2026 Perseid meteor shower?

The Northern Hemisphere generally offers the best view of the 2026 Perseid meteor shower.

The Perseid radiant lies in the northern part of the sky, near the constellations Perseus and Cassiopeia. From northern and mid-northern latitudes, that radiant climbs high enough during the night for observers to see many meteors across a broad area of sky.

Southern Hemisphere observers can still see some Perseids, especially from locations not too far south of the equator. However, the radiant remains lower above their horizon, so more meteors are blocked by the horizon and the observed rate is reduced.

The best location is not simply the country or hemisphere but a dark, open site with a wide view. Observers should avoid direct lights, allow their eyes time to adapt, and look broadly rather than staring only at the radiant.