People across Enniskillen and County Fermanagh will have another reason to look to the skies this week, with the Perseid meteor shower set to reach its peak overnight on Wednesday 12 into Thursday 13 August.
And this year could be particularly good for spotting shooting stars, as the peak coincides with a new Moon, providing much darker skies without bright moonlight getting in the way.
It comes just hours after the partial solar eclipse on Wednesday evening, making 12 August quite a night for skywatchers – providing, of course, the Fermanagh weather plays ball!
When can we see the Perseids?
The Perseid meteor shower is already active, but the best display is expected during the night of 12–13 August.
Meteors could be visible from the evening onwards, but the best viewing time is expected to be between midnight and around 5:30am.
Under perfect dark-sky conditions, up to 150 meteors per hour could potentially be seen around the peak. In reality, the number you see will depend on factors including your location, light pollution, how much of the sky you can see and, most importantly, cloud cover.
Where should you look?
The Perseids appear to originate from the constellation Perseus, but you don’t need to know your constellations to enjoy the display.
Meteors can appear across the sky, so simply finding somewhere with a wide view of the night sky and away from bright lights will give you the best chance of seeing them.
No telescope or binoculars are needed – just your eyes.
Allow around 15–20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, and try to avoid looking at your phone while you’re waiting.
Why could 2026 be particularly good?
One of the biggest advantages this year is the lack of moonlight.
The Perseid peak coincides with a new Moon, meaning the night sky should be particularly dark. This makes it easier to spot some of the fainter meteors that could otherwise be lost in bright moonlight.
The Perseids are also known for producing bright, fast-moving meteors and occasional fireballs.
First an eclipse, then a meteor shower
It could make for a very interesting evening across Fermanagh.
On Wednesday evening, a rare partial solar eclipse will see more than 90% of the Sun covered from Northern Ireland.
Then, as darkness falls and we head towards midnight, attention turns to the Perseid meteor shower.
So, if you’re interested in what’s happening above us, Wednesday 12 August could be one of the best nights of the year to keep an eye on the sky.
Will we actually see it from Fermanagh?
As always, there’s one thing we can’t control – the weather!
Clear skies will be essential for getting a good view of the meteor shower.
We’ll be keeping an eye on the forecast for Enniskillen and County Fermanagh as Wednesday approaches and will provide an update on how viewing conditions are looking.
Fingers crossed for clear skies!
