How and When to View the Perseid Meteor Shower (August 2026)

如何以及何时观测英仙座流星雨（2026年8月）

In addition to a historic total solar eclipse, August also features one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year. On the night of August 12 and into the early morning of August 13, astronomy enthusiasts in the northern hemisphere and parts of the southern hemisphere will be able to admire the Perseids during a particularly favorable viewing window.

除了历史性的日全食之外，八月还迎来了年度最壮观的流星雨之一。8月12日晚至8月13日凌晨，北半球及部分南半球的天文爱好者将迎来一个绝佳的观测窗口，届时可以欣赏到英仙座流星雨。

Occasionally, Earth passes through the trails of particles left behind by some comets as they travel through the solar system. When these tiny fragments enter Earth’s atmosphere, friction with the air heats them until they burn up. From below, it looks as though the sky is filled with bright flashes streaking across the heavens at high speed. These are meteor showers. There are several throughout the year, and the one in August is called the Perseids.

地球在太阳系中运行的过程中，偶尔会穿过某些彗星留下的颗粒轨迹。当这些微小的碎片进入地球大气层时，与空气的摩擦会产生热量，直至它们燃烧殆尽。从地面上看，天空仿佛充满了高速划过天际的明亮闪光，这就是流星雨。一年中会有多次流星雨，而八月的这场被称为英仙座流星雨。

Although a meteor shower is one of the few astronomical phenomena that can be observed with the naked eye, it is not always easy to track. To enjoy it to the fullest, it’s a good idea to follow some basic recommendations for stargazing.

虽然流星雨是少数几种可以用肉眼观测的天文现象之一，但追踪它们并不总是那么容易。为了获得最佳的观赏体验，遵循一些基本的观星建议是非常有必要的。

This Year’s Perseids Are Especially Visible

今年的英仙座流星雨格外清晰可见

Traditionally, the Perseids reach a rate of up to 100 meteors per hour during their peak activity—at least, under ideal viewing conditions. This makes them one of the three most intense meteor showers of the year, along with the Geminids in December and the Quadrantids in January.

传统上，英仙座流星雨在活跃高峰期每小时的流星数量可达100颗——当然，这是在理想的观测条件下。这使其与12月的双子座流星雨和1月的象限仪座流星雨并列为年度最强劲的三大流星雨。

In 2026, the viewing conditions are particularly favorable. The peak of activity, expected on the night of August 12–13, will coincide with the new moon phase. This means that virtually none of the moon’s illuminated side will be visible from Earth, so there will be no moonlight to interfere with meteor viewing. In other words, the sky will be much darker than usual.

2026年的观测条件尤为有利。预计在8月12日至13日晚间的活跃高峰期，恰逢新月阶段。这意味着从地球上几乎看不到月球的受光面，因此不会有月光干扰流星观测。换句话说，天空将比平时暗得多。

What’s the Best Way to View the Perseids?

观测英仙座流星雨的最佳方式是什么？

The main advice from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) for enjoying a meteor shower is to get away from light pollution. Ideally, head out of the city and find a spot with dark skies, as well as a horizon that’s as unobstructed as possible to ensure a wide field of view.

美国国家航空航天局（NASA）和欧洲航天局（ESA）对于欣赏流星雨的主要建议是远离光污染。理想情况下，应前往城外寻找一处天空黑暗、地平线尽可能开阔的地方，以确保拥有广阔的视野。

Keep in mind that it takes the human eyes 20 to 30 minutes to fully adjust to the dark. Once that time has passed, it will be easier to spot faint meteors. While observing, it’s also advisable to avoid using your cell phone or other bright screens, as they reduce your eyes’ sensitivity.

请记住，人眼需要20到30分钟才能完全适应黑暗。一旦适应，就更容易发现暗淡的流星。在观测时，建议避免使用手机或其他明亮的屏幕，因为它们会降低眼睛的敏感度。

Another important tip is to avoid using telescopes and binoculars. Although they might seem useful, NASA explains that these instruments narrow your field of view, whereas meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. It’s best to observe with the naked eye.

另一个重要的建议是避免使用望远镜和双筒望远镜。虽然它们看起来很有用，但NASA解释说，这些仪器会缩小你的视野，而流星可能会出现在天空的任何地方。最好还是用肉眼观测。

Although the Perseids get their name because they appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, it is not necessary to look toward it. Both NASA and the ESA point out that meteors can streak across any part of the sky. Ideally, lie down or use a reclining chair to observe a wide portion of the sky, preferably after midnight, when the meteor shower’s radiant reaches a higher point above the horizon and the frequency of visible meteors increases.

虽然英仙座流星雨因其看起来像是从英仙座辐射出来而得名，但并不需要盯着那个方向看。NASA和ESA都指出，流星可以划过天空的任何部分。理想的做法是躺下或使用躺椅来观察大范围的天空，最好是在午夜之后，此时流星雨的辐射点在地平线上的位置更高，可见流星的频率也会增加。

Finally, the agencies remind us that patience is also part of the experience. Meteors do not appear at a steady rate. Several minutes may pass without any activity, and then suddenly, several may be seen in quick succession. Staying under a dark sky for at least an hour offers the best chance of enjoying the show.

最后，这些机构提醒我们，耐心也是体验的一部分。流星并不是以稳定的频率出现的。可能会有几分钟没有任何动静，然后突然间，几颗流星接连划过。在黑暗的天空下至少待上一个小时，是享受这场视觉盛宴的最佳机会。