Capturing the 2025 Perseid Meteor Shower
The Perseid meteor shower is one of nature’s most breathtaking celestial displays, and it’s peaking over the next few nights here in August 2025. While this year’s show comes with an added challenge—a bright moon washing out some of the fainter streaks—you can still catch (and capture) plenty of meteors with the right approach.
1. Find the Darkest Sky Possible
Light pollution is a night sky photographer’s greatest enemy. For the best Perseid experience, head away from town and city lights. Rural areas, mountaintops, or national parks are prime locations. The further you get from artificial light, the more meteors you’ll see and the better your images will turn out.
2. Watch the Moon’s Position
This year, the moon will be bright and high during part of the night, so it’s worth planning your shooting times accordingly. The darkest window may be after the moon sets or before it rises, depending on your location. Even with moonlight, bright Perseid meteors can still cut through and deliver a show worth staying up for.
3. Camera Settings for Meteor Magic
Capturing meteors is all about balancing exposure length, sensitivity, and image quality. Try starting with:
Shutter speed: 10–20 seconds (short enough to avoid star trails but long enough to catch meteors)
Aperture: Wide open (f/2.8 or lower is ideal)
ISO: 1600–3200 for a good balance of brightness and noise
Focus: Manual, set to infinity (use live view on a bright star to fine-tune)
White balance: Daylight or auto—adjust later in post-processing if needed
A sturdy tripod is essential, and using an intervalometer or your camera’s built-in time-lapse mode will let you shoot continuously without touching the camera.
4. Compose for More Than Just Meteors
While you can’t predict exactly where a meteor will appear, you can set your composition to include interesting foregrounds—mountains, trees, barns, or even yourself silhouetted against the sky. This way, even if the meteors are fewer than expected, you’ll still come away with compelling nightscapes.
5. Enjoy the Moment
Don’t spend the entire night glued to your viewfinder or screen. The Perseids are a wonder best experienced in person, so take breaks to simply watch the sky. Some of the most magical memories come from the meteors you see with your own eyes.
The Perseid meteor shower only comes around once a year, and while the bright moon in 2025 adds a twist to the challenge, it’s still a perfect excuse to get outside, enjoy the night air, and create something beautiful with your camera.