Is there a meteor shower tonight?

Tonight’s meteor answer

No major shower is in its peak window tonight. Next up: Orionids (~October 21). Sporadic meteors still possible under dark skies.

As of September 9, 2026 (UTC): no major meteor showers in peak window. Moon: New Moon, 2% illuminated.

Major showers stay active for days around their peak. Here’s what’s in season now, when rates usually rise, and where to look — then confirm clear skies for your location.

Rates are usually best after local midnight. You don’t need a telescope or to stare at the radiant — find dark sky, face the darkest part of the sky, and give your eyes 20–30 minutes. A bright Moon or haze can hide faint meteors even near peak. Open the Meteor Shower Simulator for radiant bearings and rates, Tonight score for go/skip weather, and the Learn calendar for the full 2026 list.

See radiant & rates for my location · Email sky alerts · Tonight score · Stargazing weather · Dark sky window · Darker skies near you · Live Sky Events feed · 2026 meteor calendar & how to watch

2026 major peaks

Next major peak: Orionids — October 21 (typical ZHR ~20).

Approximate UTC peak dates and typical ZHR. Full how-to: 2026 meteor calendar.

  1. Quadrantids — peak ~January 3 — typical ZHR ~120
  2. Lyrids — peak ~April 22 — typical ZHR ~18
  3. Eta Aquariids — peak ~May 6 — typical ZHR ~50
  4. Delta Aquariids — peak ~July 30 — typical ZHR ~25
  5. Perseids — peak ~August 12 — typical ZHR ~100
  6. Orionids — peak ~October 21 — typical ZHR ~20 (next major peak)
  7. Leonids — peak ~November 17 — typical ZHR ~15
  8. Geminids — peak ~December 14 — typical ZHR ~150
  9. Ursids — peak ~December 22 — typical ZHR ~10
ShowerPeak ~ZHR
QuadrantidsJanuary 3~120
LyridsApril 22~18
Eta AquariidsMay 6~50
Delta AquariidsJuly 30~25
PerseidsAugust 12~100
OrionidsOctober 21~20
LeonidsNovember 17~15
GeminidsDecember 14~150
UrsidsDecember 22~10

Frequently asked questions

Is there a meteor shower tonight?

No major shower is in its activity window tonight. Next up: Orionids (~October 21). You may still see occasional sporadic meteors under dark skies.

Is a meteor shower visible tonight from my location?

Visibility depends on activity window, local midnight timing, Moon brightness, and clear dark skies. Check active showers here, then Tonight score, Dark Sky Window, and Dark Sky Finder for your coordinates.

When is the next meteor shower?

Next major peak: Orionids around October 21 (typical ZHR ~20). See the peak table on this page, or the full year list at /learn/obs-101.

When do the Orionids peak in 2026?

Around October 21 (UTC peak date; best rates often the night of / morning after). Typical ZHR ~20 under ideal dark skies — real counts are lower from towns. Open the simulator for radiant height at your location.

Where should I look?

Face the darkest, widest sky you can. The radiant names the shower, but meteors can appear anywhere. A reclining chair and 20–30 minutes of dark adaptation help more than optics.

Do I need a telescope?

No — naked eye and a wide view work best. For science and photography tips, open the Learn meteor showers lesson at /learn/obs-101.

Back to Sky Events · Sky tonight by city

Tools · Learn