Alpha Centaurid Meteor Shower 2027: Peak Date & Visibility

Apr 20, 2026

~5 min

The Alpha Centaurids are the main February meteor shower for Southern Hemisphere observers. In 2027, the shower peaks around February 8, just two days after the New Moon, so moonlight won’t spoil the view. Don’t miss your chance to catch February’s “shooting stars!” Use the Sky Tonight app to find the best time for viewing the meteors and read on to discover more details about the Alpha Centaurids.

Alpha Centaurid meteor shower 2027: where and when to see
Alpha Centaurids 2027: visibility forecast
How to find the Alpha Centaurid meteor shower constellation?
When was the Alpha Centaurid meteor shower discovered?
Alpha Centaurid meteor shower on February 8, 2027: key facts
Sources

Alpha Centaurid meteor shower 2027: where and when to see

Active: January 31 – February 20
Peak of activity: around February 8
Meteors/hour: 6
Moon illumination: Thin waxing crescent (2 days after the New Moon)
Radiant location: Constellation Centaurus
Parent body: Unknown
Best visible from: Southern Hemisphere

The Alpha Centaurids are a minor meteor stream radiating from the constellation Centaurus. Although the typical rate is modest, the shower occasionally produces brief outbursts of up to 20–30 meteors per hour.

Alpha Centaurids 2027: visibility forecast

In 2027, the Alpha Centaurids will peak around February 8. Observing conditions are favorable because the peak comes shortly after the New Moon. The Moon will be a thin waxing crescent and should not interfere much with meteor watching. However, note that the Alpha Centaurids are not a strong meteor shower. Under perfect dark-sky conditions, they may produce around six meteors per hour, though real observed rates are often lower.

The radiant of the Alpha Centaurids is nearly circumpolar for most regions in the Southern Hemisphere, so observers in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and much of South America can watch the meteor shower from late evening till dawn.

From the Northern Hemisphere, the shower is difficult or impossible to observe because the radiant lies far south in the sky.

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When is the best time to watch the Alpha Centaurid meteor shower on February 8?

The best time to watch the Alpha Centaurids is after local midnight during the peak night of February 8, 2027. That’s when the radiant in Centaurus is usually higher in the sky, giving you a better chance of seeing meteors. The Sky Tonight app will show you when the radiant reaches its highest point in your exact location.

For the best view, find a dark location away from city lights, lie back, and give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the dark. You don’t need binoculars or a telescope – meteors are best seen with the naked eye.

Alpha Centaurid meteor shower in Australia: best time and where to see in 2027

The Alpha Centaurids are an "Australia-friendly" meteor shower. The radiant in the constellation Centaurus stays up all night, so you can watch without rushing. Plan your viewing session for after midnight on the peak night, February 8, when the radiant is higher, and the meteors are easier to spot. Use Alpha Centauri as a quick reference point, then lean back and scan a wide, dark stretch of the sky. You'll usually see more streaks that way than by staring at the radiant. When choosing an observing location, choose one with a dark and clear southern horizon. NSW National Parks’ “Dark Sky Parks” overview has a shortlist of dark sites – choose the one that suits you best! If you’re planning a trip elsewhere, Tourism Australia’s stargazing guide also has a good map of dark-sky regions across the country.

Alpha Centaurid meteor shower in the U.S.: best time and where to see in 2027

In the United States, Alpha Centaurids can be observed if you’re far south. The radiant in Centaurus hugs the southern horizon, so among the best viewing locations are South Florida and South Texas. If you’re in that area, look for meteors striking low from the southern horizon during the pre-dawn hours.

Hawaii is better placed, and observers in tropical U.S. territories may also get a more favorable view because the radiant climbs higher there. North of about 32°N, however, the radiant remains too low for observation. Wherever you are, an unobstructed southern horizon is essential, since the radiant constellation sits close to it.

Alpha Centaurid meteor shower in South America: best time and where to see in 2027

The Alpha Centaurid meteor shower is well-seen in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil (especially farther south). Plan to observe for after-midnight on the peak night, February 8, when the radiant is higher, and the meteors are easier to spot. Use the star Alpha Centauri as a reference point, but watch a wide, dark area of the sky around it to see more meteors. If you are planning a trip, a light-pollution map such as Dark Site Finder will help you choose a location with a darker, starrier sky.

How to find the Alpha Centaurid meteor shower constellation?

The Alpha Centaurids appear to originate from the constellation Centaurus. It’s the ninth-largest constellation in the sky, famous for containing the Alpha Centauri system, home to Proxima Centauri — the closest known star to the Sun. The exact location of the radiant is about 2° northwest of the star Hadar (beta Centauri). The meteor shower is best observed in the Southern Hemisphere, visible up to 32°N.

The easiest way to find the position of the Alpha Centaurids’ radiant is to use a stargazing app. Here is how to do it with the free app Sky Tonight:

Open the app and tap the magnifier icon.
On the search bar, type the name of the meteor shower – “Alpha Centaurids.”
Choose the matching result and tap the blue target button. The app will show you the meteor shower’s radiant position on the sky map.
To find the Alpha Centaurids’ radiant in the sky above you, tap the blue compass button or point your device to the sky. You’ll see the white arrow that will guide you to the radiant position. Move your device following the arrow until you see the Alpha Centaurids’ radiant on the screen. The image corresponds to the real sky at your location.

Alpha Centaurids' radiant in Sky Tonight — The Sky Tonight app will help you easily determine the position of any meteor shower's radiant in the sky.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

When was the Alpha Centaurid meteor shower discovered?

The first probable observation of the Alpha Centaurids was made by V. Williams from Sydney, Australia, on February 10-11, 1889. After that, there were no major records until 1938, when Cuno Hoffmeister likely detected the Alpha Centaurids from South West Africa. The meteor shower was only formally recognized in the 1970s, after systematic observations by Michael Buhagiar and the Western Australia Meteor Society.

Alpha Centaurid meteor shower on February 8, 2027: key facts

The Alpha Centaurids are expected to peak around February 8, 2027. This weak and unpredictable meteor shower usually produces about 6 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, though actual rates may be lower. The thin waxing crescent Moon won’t interfere with observations, making this a good year to observe the shower. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, definitely give the Alpha Centaurids a chance!

Download the Sky Tonight app to learn when the radiant climbs highest in your sky – that’s when you’ll catch the most meteors! To make your meteor hunt even better, check out our meteor-shower infographic for tips and viewing tricks.