Updated: Sep 24. 2026
Meteor Showers 2026–2027
A shooting star is one of the simplest and most beautiful sights in the night sky. Most of them come in regular showers: every year the Earth crosses trails of dust left behind by comets, and the tiny particles burn up in the atmosphere as bright streaks of light. Because the Earth passes the same trails on the same days, the major meteor showers return on almost the same dates every year. Here is a calendar of the most important ones and tips on how to see them.
How to watch meteor showers
- Get away from city lights – the darker the sky, the more meteors you will see.
- You do not need a telescope or binoculars; the naked eye is best, because meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
- Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adapt to the dark and keep your phone in your pocket.
- The best hours are usually after midnight and before dawn.
- A bright Moon washes out the fainter meteors, so check the lunar calendar before you go out.
- Dress warmly, take a blanket or a deck chair and be patient.
Quadrantids – early January
The year opens with one of the strongest showers. The Quadrantids are active from late December to about 12 January and peak on the night of 3–4 January, when up to 120 meteors an hour can appear under ideal conditions. The peak is short, only a few hours. They seem to come from the constellation Boötes and are named after Quadrans Muralis, a constellation that no longer exists.
Lyrids – April
The Lyrids have been observed for more than 2,500 years, longer than any other shower. They peak around 22–23 April with a modest 15–20 meteors an hour, but occasionally surprise with bright fireballs. Their source is comet Thatcher.
Eta Aquariids – May
Active from mid-April to late May with a peak around 5–6 May, the Eta Aquariids come from the dust of Halley's comet. They are best seen from the southern hemisphere; in Europe you can catch them in the last hours before dawn.
Perseids – August
The most popular shower of the year, thanks to warm summer nights. The Perseids are active from mid-July to late August and peak on the night of 12–13 August with 60 to 100 fast, often colourful meteors an hour. They come from comet Swift-Tuttle.
Orionids – October
A second shower from Halley's comet, peaking around 21–22 October with about 20 meteors an hour. The Orionids are fast and sometimes leave glowing trails.
Leonids – November
The Leonids peak around 17–18 November. In most years they are weak, but roughly every 33 years they have produced spectacular storms with thousands of meteors an hour. Their parent is comet Tempel-Tuttle.
Geminids – December
For many observers the best shower of the year. The Geminids are active from about 4 to 20 December and peak on the night of 13–14 December with up to 120–150 meteors an hour, visible for most of the night. Unusually, they come from an asteroid, 3200 Phaethon, not from a comet.
Shooting stars in astrology and folklore
People have always given shooting stars special meaning. In many cultures a falling star was a soul on its way into the world or a sign of good luck, and the custom of making a wish when you see one is still alive today. Astrologers read the constellation a shower seems to come from as a small symbolic hint: the Geminids are said to favour communication and new ideas, the Perseids courage and passion. Whatever you believe, a night under a sky full of meteors is a lovely moment to slow down and think about what you really wish for.