Next Meteor Shower

Orionids

Next period of activity: October 2nd, 2026 to November 7th, 2026 

The Orionids are a medium strength shower that sometimes reaches high strength activity. In a normal year the Orionids produce 10-20 shower members at maximum. In exceptional years, such as 2006-2009, the peak rates were on par with the Perseids (50-75 per hour). Recent displays have produced low to average displays of this shower. In 2025, a new moon will occur on October 21st and there will not be any lunar interference at all.

Shower details - Radiant: 06:20 +15.8° - ZHR: 20 - Velocity: 41 miles/sec (swift - 66km/sec) - Parent Object: 1P/Halley

Next Peak - The Orionids will next peak on the Oct 21-22, 2026 night. On this night, the moon will be 80% full.

Southern Taurids

Next period of activity: September 20th, 2026 to November 20th, 2026 

The Southern Taurids are a complex shower made up of two main components, the annual component which peaks on October 14th and the fireball swarm component which peaks on November 5th. Since 2025 is a swarm year, we will list November 5th as the peak. The Southern Taurids are rich in fireballs and are often responsible for increased number of fireball reports from September through November.

Shower details - Radiant: 03:28 +14.5° - ZHR: 5 - Velocity: 17 miles/sec (slow - 27km/sec) - Parent Object: 2P/Encke

Next Peak - The Southern Taurids will next peak on the Nov 4-5, 2026 night. On this night, the moon will be 18% full.

Northern Taurids

Next period of activity: October 20th, 2026 to December 10th, 2026 

This shower is much like the Southern Taurids, just active a bit later in the year. When the two showers are active simultaneously in late October and early November, there is sometimes a notable increase in the fireball activity.

Shower details - Radiant: 03:52 +22.2° - ZHR: 5 - Velocity: 18 miles/sec (slow - 29km/sec) - Parent Object: 2P/Encke

Next Peak - The Northern Taurids will next peak on the Nov 11-12, 2026 night. On this night, the moon will be 7% full.

Leonids

Next period of activity: November 6th, 2026 to November 30th, 2026 

The Leonids are best known for producing meteor storms in the years of 1833, 1866, 1966, 1999, 2001 and 2002. These outbursts of meteor activity are best seen when the parent object, comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, is near perihelion (closest approach to the sun). Yet it is not the fresh material we see from the comet, but rather debris from earlier returns that also happen to be most dense at the same time. Unfortunately, it appears that the earth will not encounter any dense clouds of debris until 2099. Therefore, when the comet returns in 2031 and 2064, there may not be any meteor storms, but perhaps several good displays of Leonid activity when rates are in excess of 100 per hour. Each passing year also presents new possibilities from old debris fields. In 2025, the waning old crescent moon will rise during the late morning hours and will not spoil the best viewing hours for this shower.

Shower details - Radiant: 10:08 +21.8° - ZHR: 15 - Velocity: 43.5 miles/sec (swift - 69.7km/sec) - Parent Object: 55P/Tempel-Tuttle

Next Peak - The Leonids will next peak on the Nov 16-17, 2026 night. On this night, the moon will be 45% full.

Geminids

Next period of activity: December 4th, 2026 to December 17th, 2026 

The Geminids are usually the strongest meteor shower of the year and meteor enthusiasts are certain to circle December 13 and 14 on their calendars. This is the one major shower that provides good activity prior to midnight as the constellation of Gemini is well placed from 22:00 onward. The Geminids are often bright and intensely colored. Due to their medium-slow velocity, persistent trains are not usually seen. These meteors are also seen in the southern hemisphere, but only during the middle of the night and at a reduced rate. In 2025, the moon will have a waning crescent phase on December 13/14, which rises near 2am local standard time. Observations prior to this time will be moon-free. Observations after moon rise can still be successful by facing westward with the rising moon at your back. .

Shower details - Radiant: 07:28 +33° - ZHR: 150 - Velocity: 22 miles/sec (medium - 35km/sec) - Parent Object: 3200 Phaethon (asteroid)

Next Peak - The Geminids will next peak on the Dec 13-14, 2026 night. On this night, the moon will be 21% full.

Quadrantids

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