Tonight Begins Meteor Shower Peak for Oregon, Washington, Coast - and Eclipse Coming

Published 08/09/2026 at 9:59 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Manzanita, Oregon) – Make sure you look up tonight, if you've got clear skies. Indeed, anywhere from the Oregon coast and Washington coast into Portland and Seattle, all that smoke is leaving that area alone. (Above: Manzanita / Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

Now through August 13 is the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Then, later this month, you'll get treated to blood-like moon with a lunar eclipse.

All this comes from Portland astronomer Jim Todd of OMSI. Todd says the Perseids, produced by debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle, are among the year’s most dependable meteor displays. The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, and observers in dark locations often see 30 to 50 meteors per hour.

“The Perseids are one of the brightest meteor showers of the year,” Todd told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. “Best of all, the moon is new on August 12, meaning the skies will be perfectly dark, and viewing conditions will be optimum.”

Todd notes that the American Meteor Society identifies the night of August 12 into the early hours of August 13 as the best viewing period, though the broad peak makes the surrounding nights worthwhile. He recommends watching about 50 degrees away from the radiant between Perseus and Cassiopeia. A new moon on August 12 will leave skies fully dark, creating optimum viewing conditions.

Todd advises choosing a location with a wide, unobstructed horizon and minimal artificial light. While meteors are best viewed with the naked eye, he says binoculars can help catch persistent trains - glowing trails that can linger for several seconds after a meteor passes.

Pacific Northwest Weather | Oregon, Washington, Coastline (see NW from space) |---| Washington Coast Weather |---| Oregon Coast Weather |---| Inland Oregon Weather

New Moon Also Brings a Total Solar Eclipse — But Not for Oregon

Todd says the August 12 new moon coincides with a total solar eclipse whose path of totality will cross Greenland, Iceland and Spain. Partial phases will be visible across broader regions of North America, Europe and Africa. The Pacific Northwest will not see any part of the event.

Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse Follows Later in the Month

Fifteen days after the new moon, the August full Sturgeon Moon arrives on August 27, bringing what Todd describes as an exceptionally deep partial lunar eclipse. About 96 percent of the moon will slip into Earth’s umbral shadow. Because Portland is on the West Coast, Todd says the moon will rise with the eclipse already underway, appearing unusually dim while it sits low on the horizon during its deepest phase.

Timeline for Portland:

7:49 p.m. PDT (Moonrise): The moon rises in the east-southeast. It will
already be deep in Earth's shadow, making it highly obscured and tough
to see right away.

9:12 p.m. PDT (Maximum Eclipse): The eclipse reaches its peak. The moon
will climb to about 12 degrees above the horizon, with 93% of its
surface covered by Earth's dark umbral shadow.

August 27 at 9:12pm PDT
10:00 p.m. PDT (Clearing Phase): The moon will begin noticeably
brightening and returning to normal as it leaves the central shadow.
12:01 a.m. PDT (Eclipse Ends): The moon completely leaves the shadow,
ending the event.

Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Central Oregon Coast's Summerlike Sept and Oct Getting Booked Up - Some Renta...
Lincoln City's Keystone: brief rental openings in Sept, slightly more Oct. Lincoln City hotel reviews. Depoe Bay hotel reviews

New to Oregon Coast Vacation Home Scene: Latest Finds in Neskowin, Pacific City
Four new vacation rentals in Neskowin and Pacific City. Pacific City hotel reviews, Neskowin hotel reviews

A1 Beach Rentals - Reviews of Lincoln City
Not far from Neskowin or Depoe Bay: amazing oceanfront option or near the ocean. Often the least expensive rental agency in the region. Close to D River, Roads End. Hotels closest to downtown Lincoln City

Central Oregon Coast: Brief video review of Surfland Hotel, Lincoln City
3 Sep 2026 at 6:22pm
Courtyard, fire pits, outstanding views, and what's been called 'glossy, innovative' . Next to D River access, walking to NW 15th access, Lincoln City tidepools, Roads End, shopping, close to Siletz Bay

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted