Meteor Shower Calendar 2026

Every Meteor Shower in 2026

2026 is a standout year for meteor showers. The Perseids peak under a perfect new moon on August 12, delivering dark skies for the entire night — a once-in-a-decade alignment. The Geminids follow in December with only a thin crescent moon, making both of the year's biggest showers essentially interference-free. Whether you're a seasoned observer or watching your first shooting star, this calendar covers every major shower of 2026.

Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through trails of debris left behind by comets and asteroids. As tiny particles — most no bigger than a grain of sand — hit our atmosphere at tens of thousands of miles per hour, they burn up in brilliant streaks of light. Each shower is named after the constellation its meteors appear to radiate from, known as the radiant point. The higher the radiant sits in your sky, the more meteors you'll see.

Quadrantids — January 3–4

The Quadrantids kick off the year with one of the highest peak rates of any shower — up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. The catch is that this peak is exceptionally brief, lasting only about six hours compared to the day-long peaks of most other showers. If you miss the narrow window, rates drop sharply.

The radiant sits in the northern sky near the former constellation Quadrans Muralis (now part of Boötes), meaning this is predominantly a Northern Hemisphere shower. It climbs highest after midnight, so the best viewing is from roughly 2am to dawn. The parent body is asteroid 2003 EH1, which may be an extinct comet. In 2026 the moon is a waxing crescent (roughly 35% illuminated) and sets before midnight, leaving the key pre-dawn hours dark.

Peak: January 3–4 · ZHR: ~120 · Active: December 28 – January 12 · Radiant: Boötes (NE sky) · Moon: Low interference — crescent sets early

Lyrids — April 22–23

The Lyrids are the oldest recorded meteor shower, with observations dating back over 2,700 years to 687 BC in China. In a typical year they produce around 18 meteors per hour, though occasional outbursts have pushed rates above 90. The shower is caused by debris from Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher), which won't return to the inner solar system until 2276.

Lyrids radiate from near the bright star Vega in the constellation Lyra, which rises in the northeast during late evening and is high overhead by dawn. That makes the hours between midnight and 4am the prime viewing window. Lyrids are known for producing the occasional bright fireball with a persistent train — a glowing trail that lingers for several seconds after the meteor itself has faded.

Peak: April 22–23 · ZHR: ~18 (occasional outbursts to 90+) · Active: April 15–29 · Radiant: Lyra (NE sky, near Vega)

Eta Aquariids — May 5–6

The Eta Aquariids are produced by the most famous comet of all — Halley's Comet — and can deliver around 50 meteors per hour at peak. This is the better of the two annual showers associated with Halley (the other is the Orionids in October). Eta Aquariid meteors are fast, entering the atmosphere at about 66 km/s, and frequently leave persistent glowing trains.

There's an important catch for UK and Northern European observers: the radiant in Aquarius sits low on the southern horizon, meaning you'll see far fewer meteors than observers at tropical or Southern Hemisphere latitudes. From the UK, expect around 10–15 per hour at best, all grazing low across the sky in the hour or two before dawn. From Australia, southern Africa, or South America, this is one of the year's best showers.

Peak: May 5–6 · ZHR: ~50 (lower from northern latitudes) · Active: April 19 – May 28 · Radiant: Aquarius (low SE before dawn) · Best from: Southern Hemisphere and tropics

Delta Aquariids — July 28–30

The Southern Delta Aquariids are a moderate shower producing around 25 meteors per hour at peak. Like the Eta Aquariids, the radiant sits in Aquarius and favours observers at lower latitudes. From the UK, the radiant barely clears the southern horizon, so realistic rates are closer to 5–10 per hour.

What makes the Delta Aquariids interesting is their timing — they overlap with the early Perseids. If you're out watching in late July, you'll see meteors from both showers simultaneously. Delta Aquariid meteors tend to be fainter and slower than Perseids, arriving from a more southerly direction, so you can often tell them apart. In 2026, the moon is nearly full (98% illuminated) at the Delta Aquariid peak on July 30, which will significantly reduce visible rates.

Peak: July 28–30 · ZHR: ~25 · Active: July 12 – August 23 · Radiant: Aquarius (S sky) · Moon: Severe interference — near-full moon

Perseids — August 11–13 ⭐ Best Meteor Shower of 2026

The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower in the world, and 2026 is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to see them at their absolute best. The new moon falls on August 12 — the exact same day as the Perseid peak. That means zero moonlight for the entire night, from dusk to dawn. Every faint meteor that would normally be washed out by moonlight will be visible, and the Milky Way will provide a stunning backdrop.

Under these perfect conditions, experienced observers at dark sky sites could see 100 or more meteors per hour. Even from suburban locations, 30–50 per hour is realistic. The Perseids produce more fireballs than any other annual shower — brilliant, slow-burning meteors that light up the sky and occasionally leave glowing persistent trains lasting several seconds.

The radiant near the constellation Perseus rises in the northeast during late evening and climbs steadily through the night. Rates increase from about 10pm onward and peak between midnight and 4am. Don't point your telescope at the radiant — meteors are best seen with the naked eye across a wide field of view. Lie back, look up, and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to fully adapt to the dark.

The parent comet is 109P/Swift-Tuttle, a 26-kilometre body that last passed through the inner solar system in 1992 and won't return until 2126. August 12 also brings a total solar eclipse visible from Greenland, Iceland, and Spain — making it one of the most remarkable single days in the 2026 astronomical calendar.

Peak: August 12–13 · ZHR: ~100 · Active: July 17 – August 24 · Radiant: Perseus (NE sky) · Moon: NEW MOON — 0% illumination. Perfect dark skies all night.

Orionids — October 21–22

The Orionids are the second annual shower produced by Halley's Comet, delivering around 25 meteors per hour at peak. These are fast meteors — 66 km/s — and frequently produce fireballs. The shower is known for occasional outbursts where rates climb above 50 per hour, though these are unpredictable.

The radiant sits in Orion, near the club of the hunter, which rises in the east after midnight and is well-placed by 2am. October nights are dark and often clearer than summer, making this a pleasant shower to watch from the Northern Hemisphere. The Orionids are also visible from the Southern Hemisphere.

Peak: October 21–22 · ZHR: ~25 (variable) · Active: October 2 – November 7 · Radiant: Orion (SE sky after midnight)

Leonids — November 17–18

The Leonids hold a special place in meteor history. Roughly every 33 years, when the parent comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle passes close to the Sun, the Leonids can produce spectacular meteor storms with thousands of meteors per hour. The last major storm was in 2001. In non-storm years, rates are modest at around 15 per hour.

Leonid meteors are the fastest of any annual shower, entering the atmosphere at 71 km/s. At that speed, even small particles produce bright meteors, and fireballs can leave persistent trains visible for minutes. The radiant in Leo rises after midnight and is best placed from about 2am to dawn.

In 2026, the moon is about 45% illuminated on the peak night — not ideal, but manageable. Position yourself with the moon at your back and focus on the darker half of the sky.

Peak: November 17–18 · ZHR: ~15 (variable — storm years can reach 1,000+) · Active: November 6–30 · Radiant: Leo (E sky after midnight) · Moon: Moderate interference — half-lit moon

Geminids — December 13–14 ⭐ Strongest Shower of the Year

The Geminids regularly produce the highest meteor rates of any annual shower — up to 120 per hour at peak — and 2026 offers excellent conditions. The new moon falls on December 9, so by the peak night on December 13–14 the moon is only a thin waxing crescent (about 21% illuminated) that sets by around 10pm local time. From 10pm onward, the sky is completely dark.

Unlike most showers, the Geminids are active from mid-evening onward because the radiant in Gemini (near the star Castor) is already above the horizon by 9pm. This makes them ideal for families and anyone who doesn't want to stay up until 2am. Rates climb steadily through the evening and peak between midnight and 3am.

Geminid meteors are distinctive — they travel at a medium speed of 35 km/s (slower than Perseids), are often brightly coloured in white, yellow, green, and occasionally blue, and tend not to leave persistent trains. The parent body is the unusual asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which may be an extinct or dormant comet. It's the only major meteor shower caused by an asteroid rather than a comet.

One consideration: December nights are cold, especially at dark sky sites. Dress in layers, bring a sleeping bag or blankets, and use a reclining chair or groundsheet rather than craning your neck upward.

Peak: December 13–14 · ZHR: ~120 · Active: December 4–20 · Radiant: Gemini (high in sky by midnight) · Moon: 21% crescent, sets by 10pm. Excellent dark-sky conditions.

Ursids — December 22–23

The Ursids are a minor shower producing around 10 meteors per hour, but they're worth knowing about because of their timing — they peak near the winter solstice when nights are at their longest. The radiant sits near the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor), which is circumpolar from the UK and most of the Northern Hemisphere, meaning it never sets. That gives you the unusual advantage of being able to watch from dusk to dawn.

Ursid meteors are slow and faint, so dark skies are essential. Occasional outbursts have pushed rates to 50+ per hour, though these are rare. The parent comet is 8P/Tuttle.

Peak: December 22–23 · ZHR: ~10 · Active: December 17–26 · Radiant: Ursa Minor (circumpolar — always above the horizon)

How to Watch a Meteor Shower

You don't need a telescope or binoculars to watch a meteor shower — in fact, they're worse than useless because they restrict your field of view. Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, so you want to see as much of it as possible. Here's how to maximise your count.

Get away from light pollution. Even driving 15–20 minutes out of town makes a dramatic difference. Use Clear Skys to check your forecast score — a high score means clear skies, low humidity, and minimal moon interference. The higher the score, the more meteors you'll see.

Give your eyes time to adapt. It takes 20–30 minutes of no artificial light for your pupils to fully dilate. Don't check your phone — if you must, use a red-light app or cover the screen with red film. Every glance at a bright screen resets your dark adaptation and you'll miss the faintest meteors.

Get comfortable. Lie on a blanket, sleeping bag, or reclining garden chair and look straight up or slightly toward the radiant direction. Don't stare at the radiant point itself — meteors originate there but are easiest to spot when they've travelled 30–40 degrees across the sky. Dress warmer than you think you need to — you'll be lying still in the open for an extended period.

Patience is everything. You might see nothing for five minutes and then three in quick succession. Give any shower at least 30–45 minutes before deciding whether conditions are working. If the Clear Skys forecast shows good conditions and you've adapted to the dark, the meteors will come.

Why Moon Phase Matters for Meteor Showers

The single biggest factor in how many meteors you'll see — beyond cloud cover — is the moon. A bright moon floods the sky with light and washes out all but the brightest meteors. The difference between a full moon night and a new moon night can be the difference between seeing 10 meteors per hour and 80.

Clear Skys factors moon phase and moon position into every forecast score. When the moon is above the horizon during the darkness window, the score takes a penalty proportional to its illumination. A full moon might knock 30+ points off your score, while a thin crescent has negligible impact.

For meteor showers, the ideal scenario is a new moon or a crescent that sets early in the evening. 2026 delivers exactly this for the two biggest showers: a new moon for the Perseids on August 12, and a 21% crescent setting by 10pm for the Geminids on December 13. If you only watch two meteor showers this year, make it these two.

Check Tonight's Meteor Shower Forecast

Clear skies are essential for meteor watching. Clear Skys gives you a stargazing score for any location worldwide, factoring in cloud cover, humidity, wind, rain probability, moon phase, darkness timing, and active meteor showers. During active meteor showers, the app flags the event in your forecast so you know what to look for.

Set up push notifications for your favourite dark sky spot and Clear Skys will alert you when conditions cross your threshold — including on meteor shower peak nights.