Where to see meteor showers in India this August

What if we tell you that the biggest drop of August isn't on screens, in shops, or at shows? It's right overhead!

The gorgeous Perseid meteor shower is clocking in between August 11 and 13, with its headline act scheduled for the night of August 12. That night, shooting stars are expected to streak across the sky, almost like a sci-fi film (minus the fiction, except for you dreamy folk). Since it'll be a new moon, even the faintest meteors will be easier to spot.

Wait, though, before you jump for joy. There's also a villain in the story: the monsoon. Meaning much of India could be clouded over. So your best bet is the high-altitude mountains of Ladakh and Spiti Valley. Second, the rain-shadow regions of Western Rajasthan (precisely the Rann of Kutch). 

For a guaranteed view of the meteor showers, head to Hanle

Hanle's high altitude, exceptionally dark skies and almost non-existent light pollution make it one of India's finest places to witness the Perseid meteor shower. The village sits within the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve, where local-led stargazing experiences and observatories offer visitors an immersive way to explore the night sky. If you're inspired to return, Hanle's annual Star Party in September also brings together astronomers, astrophotographers and skywatchers from across the country for several nights of telescope observations, workshops and celestial viewing under some of India's clearest skies.

Will I need a telescope?

Nope! The showers will be visible to the naked eye, and it will take 20 to 30 minutes for your pupils to adjust.

What exactly is the Perseid meteor shower?

Born from the dusty trail of Comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids are widely considered the year's best meteor shower. Skywatchers in the US and parts of Europe might catch 50–100 meteors an hour with clearer vision. But India gets its own shot only by mid-August, provided the weather is not cloudy.

All you see are these tiny particles slamming into our atmosphere at speeds of nearly 60 km per second. They burn up in a split second, creating the bright streaks of light we call shooting stars (or, more accurately, meteors).

The shower gets its name because the meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, though they can light up almost any part of the sky.

Details at a glance

Best places to see: Ladakh, Spiti Valley, Rann of Kutch

Best time: Midnight to sunrise

When: Mid-August (August 11 to 13 specifically)