Next up: Perseids
Every major annual shower with peak dates, expected rates (ZHR), parent comets, and best viewing hours. Data from the International Meteor Organization.
See details →Perseids
Peaks in 59 days
- Peak
- Aug 12, 2026
- Radiant
- Perseus
- Velocity
- 59 km/s
- Hemisphere
- North
The year at a glance
Shower activity windows · ZHR intensity
Visibility from your location
We re-rank the showers using your latitude so "peak" means peak for you — not the global maximum.
All annual showers
Nine major events recognized by the International Meteor Organization.
Quadrantids
From Boötes
Brief but intense peak from the constellation Boötes.
PeakJan 4 · in 204dRate110/hrLyrids
From Lyra
Spring shower from comet Thatcher; occasional fireball outbursts.
PeakApr 22 · in 312dRate18/hrEta Aquariids
From Aquarius
Halley's Comet debris; favors the Southern Hemisphere.
PeakMay 6 · in 326dRate50/hrPerseids
From Perseus
The most popular shower; warm summer nights, reliable rates.
PeakAug 12 · in 59dRate100/hrDraconids
From Draco
Slow meteors; rare outburst years can produce hundreds per hour.
PeakOct 8 · in 116dRate10/hrOrionids
From Orion
The other Halley's Comet shower; fast bright meteors.
PeakOct 21 · in 129dRate20/hrLeonids
From Leo
Tempel-Tuttle debris; storm years (~33 yr cycle) can produce thousands.
PeakNov 17 · in 156dRate15/hrGeminids
From Gemini
The strongest annual shower; bright multicolored meteors.
PeakDec 14 · in 183dRate150/hrUrsids
From Ursa Minor
Northern-only shower from comet 8P/Tuttle; modest rates.
PeakDec 22 · in 191dRate10/hr
How to watch a meteor shower
No equipment needed — just patience and dark skies.
Light pollution destroys meteor counts. Drive 30+ min from any city if you can.
Give your eyes 20–30 minutes with zero phone screens before observing.
Wide sky view beats any telescope. A reclining chair is the best tool you can bring.
Most showers peak after midnight when Earth faces into the dust stream.