Shooting Stars in June–September 2026: Next Notable Event – The Perseids
Twelve meteor showers take place between the June solstice and the September equinox. The upcoming month’s main event is the Perseid meteor shower peaking on August 12-13. With the Sky Tonight app, you can check which showers peak each month, track their radiant in your sky, and set reminders so you never miss the best viewing nights. Read this guide to explore all notable meteor showers of the season!
Contents
- Upcoming August meteor showers 2026: key facts
- Meteor showers in August 2026
- Meteor showers in September
- Earlier meteor showers in June and July 2026
- How to see shooting stars in June–September?
- Meteor showers in June-September 2026: key points
Upcoming August meteor showers 2026: key facts
Three notable meteor showers peak in August 2026:
- Eta Eridanids — peak on August 7 with about 3 meteors per hour. They are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, and the waning crescent Moon will cause little interference.
- Perseids — peak on August 12–13 under the moonless sky. The usual rate of the Perseid meteor shower can be up to 100 meteors per hour. However, in 2026, the number may be notably lower. The peak coincides with the New Moon, making 2026 an excellent year to watch them.
- Kappa Cygnids — peak on August 17 with around 3 meteors per hour. This weak Northern Hemisphere shower is known for occasional bright fireballs. The waxing crescent Moon will set early and won’t spoil the view.
The Perseids are the month’s main event, but the Eta Eridanids and Kappa Cygnids give observers additional chances to catch shooting stars before and after the peak.
Meteor showers in August 2026
August 7: η-Eridanids
- Designation: 191 ERI
- Meteors per hour: 3
- Moon phase: waning crescent Moon
- Active: July 31 – August 19
- Radiant location: Eridanus
- Best visible from: Southern Hemisphere
Here and later in the article, “meteors per hour” refers to the theoretical maximum of meteors that can be seen under ideal viewing conditions, known to astronomers as the Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR).
The Eta Eridanids (η-Eridanids) have been discovered relatively recently and may be associated with comet C/1852 K1 (Chacornac). The shower’s radiant lies in the southern constellation Eridanus, so the meteors are best viewed from southern latitudes. Observations suggest that the Eta Eridanids’ activity may extend well beyond the peak, but more data is needed to confirm this.
η-Eridanids visibility forecast
In 2026, the Eta Eridanids will peak during the waning crescent Moon, so observing conditions will be fairly good. You can try to spot shooting stars after the shower’s maximum, when the Moon will be even less illuminated.
August 12–13: Perseids
- Designation: 007 PER
- Meteors per hour: 100
- Moon phase: New Moon
- Active: July 17 – August 24
- Radiant location: Perseus
- Best visible from: Mid-northern latitudes
The Perseids originate from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. They are so bright and abundant that they’ve become one of the most popular meteor showers. Every year, this meteor shower is on the list of the most spectacular and anticipated astronomical events.
Perseids visibility forecast
In 2026, the Perseids get exceptionally favorable observing conditions. Their peak coincides with the New Moon, so the night will be truly dark and ideal for spotting both bright streaks and fainter meteors. The strongest activity is expected around 02:00–04:00 GMT on August 13. This year the meteor rate of the Perseids is expected to be lower; however, this is still one of the best meteor showers of the year, definitely not to miss! Read our dedicated article to learn more about the Perseids.
August 17: κ-Cygnids
- Designation: 012 KCG
- Meteors per hour: 3
- Moon phase: waxing crescent Moon
- Active: August 3–28
- Radiant location: Cygnus
- Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The Kappa Cygnids (κ-Cygnids) are an episodic meteor shower with an unknown parent body. It is known for occasional bright fireballs. Periodic outbursts happen every 6-7 years. Enhanced activity was observed in 2007, 2014, and 2021. Some analyses also indicate a mild increase in activity in 2020, but it was weaker and not consistently confirmed across observing networks.
κ-Cygnids visibility forecast
In 2026, the Kappa Cygnids peak under a waxing crescent Moon, which will set early in the evening. This means observing conditions for the Kappa Cygnids are favorable this year. You can learn more about this meteor shower from our dedicated article.
Meteor showers in September
August 31 – September 1: Aurigids
- Designation: 206 AUR
- Meteors per hour: 6
- Moon phase: waning gibbous Moon
- Active: August 28 – September 5
- Radiant location: Auriga
- Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The Aurigids are a minor meteor shower linked to the long-period comet C/1911 N1 (Kiess). While usually modest, they’re capable of occasional outbursts — the most recent outburst, observed in 2021, produced an impressive 80-100 meteors in just about an hour.
Aurigids visibility forecast
In 2026, viewing conditions for the Aurigids will be unfavorable: the maximum comes just a few days after the Full Moon, so only the brightest meteors are likely to be seen. If you decide to watch, try to block the Moon with a tree or building and look well away from it. You can read more about the Aurigids in our article.
September 9–10: September ε-Perseids
- Designation: 208 SPE
- Meteors per hour: 8
- Moon phase: thin waning crescent Moon
- Active: September 5–21
- Radiant location: Perseus
- Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The September Epsilon Perseids (ε-Perseids) are not to be confused with the August Perseids. They have different parent bodies: the Perseids come from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, while ε-Perseids originate from an unknown long-period comet. Also, the ε-Perseids are much weaker.
September ε-Perseids visibility forecast
In 2026, the Epsilon Perseids will reach their peak just before the New Moon — on September 9 at around 18:00 GMT — so observing conditions will be perfect. At mid-northern latitudes, you can typically start your observations at around 10–11 p.m. local time. A possible faint dust-filament encounter could occur around September 10 at 06:10 GMT. This timing favors observers in the Americas, where the encounter occurs at night; in Europe and most of Asia, it falls after sunrise.
September 13: September Lyncids
- Designation: 081 SLY
- Meteors per hour: 3–4
- Moon phase: thin waxing crescent Moon
- Active: September 10 – October 8
- Radiant location: Lynx
- Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The September Lyncids are a minor meteor shower with a radiant in the constellation Lynx. This shower may be associated with historical records from China and Korea, including reports from 1037, 1063, and 1560, when the stream was possibly more active than it is today. In modern times, the meteor shower is observed as a weak stream, producing only 3–4 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.
September Lyncids visibility forecast
In 2026, the September Lyncids are expected to peak around September 13, and their activity falls close to the New Moon, so observing conditions should be very favorable. The shower is best seen from the Northern Hemisphere, where the radiant in Lynx climbs higher in the sky late at night.
Earlier meteor showers in June and July 2026
June 22: June Bootids
- Designation: 170 JBO
- Meteors per hour: variable
- Moon phase: first quarter Moon
- Active: June 22 – July 2
- Radiant location: Bootes
- Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The June Bootids originate from the short-period comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke. This meteor shower is unpredictable. It showed unusual activity in 1998 (50-100 meteors per hour) and 2004 (20-50 meteors per hour). Another outburst was expected in 2010, but the shower produced fewer than ten meteors per hour. In most years, the June Bootids are rather weak and produce about 1-2 meteors per hour.
June Bootids visibility forecast
In 2026, the June Bootids peak on June 22 at around 01:00 GMT; there are no predictions of an activity outburst. The waxing Moon may interfere with observations during the peak, so try to keep it out of your direct view or wait until it sinks below the horizon.
July 9–10: July Pegasids
- Designation: 175 JPE
- Meteors per hour: 3
- Moon phase: waning crescent Moon
- Active: July 1–20
- Radiant location: Pegasus
- Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The July Pegasids are a weak meteor shower with a radiant located near the star Markab (Alpha Pegasi). The parent body of this meteor shower is probably the comet C/1979 Y1 (Bradfield).
July Pegasids visibility forecast
In 2026, the July Pegasids peak under a waning crescent Moon, which won’t be an obstacle for observations. From mid-northern latitudes, the shower’s radiant remains above the horizon all night, with the best viewing conditions after local midnight.
July 28: July γ-Draconids
- Designation: 184 GDR
- Meteors per hour: 5
- Moon phase: a day before the Full Moon
- Active: July 25–31
- Radiant location: Draco
- Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The July Gamma Draconids (July γ-Draconids) are a minor meteor shower with an unknown parent body. It hasn’t shown any extra activity since 2017, but produced an outburst in 2016 (30-40 meteors per hour).
July γ-Draconids visibility forecast
On July 28, 2026, around 13:00 GMT, the July Gamma Draconids will reach the same position they had during the 2016 outburst. An enhanced rate of meteors is possible, but the timing is close to the Full Moon, so bright moonlight may significantly hinder observations.
July 28: Piscis Austrinids
- Designation: 183 PAU
- Meteors per hour: around 5
- Moon phase: a day before the Full Moon
- Active: July 15 – August 10
- Radiant location: Piscis Austrinus
- Best visible from: Southern Hemisphere
The Piscis Austrinids are an obscure minor meteor shower with a radiant located near Fomalhaut, the brightest star in Piscis Austrinus. They are better seen from the Southern Hemisphere, where the radiant climbs higher in the sky. With an entry velocity of about 44 km/s, Piscis Austrinid meteors are of average speed.
Piscis Austrinids visibility forecast
The Piscis Austrinids are best observed in the hours before dawn, when their radiant reaches its highest point in the sky. In 2026, the peak takes place near the Full Moon, which makes the observations almost impossible.
July 30–31: Southern δ-Aquariids
- Designation: 005 SDA
- Meteors per hour: 25
- Moon phase: bright waning gibbous Moon, near the Full Moon
- Active: July 12 – August 23
- Radiant location: Aquarius
- Best visible from: Southern Hemisphere and low northern latitudes
The Southern Delta Aquariids (δ-Aquariids) are one of the most active meteor showers in the southern sky. Observers reported outbursts in 1977 and 2003 (about 40 meteors per hour). The exact origin of the stream is uncertain. One possible parent body is Comet 96P/Machholz. Another supposed candidate is Jupiter-family comet P/2008 Y12 (SOHO).
Southern δ-Aquariids visibility forecast
In 2026, the Southern Delta Aquariids peak on July 30–31, overlapping with the Alpha Capricornids. Unfortunately, the peak comes soon after the Full Moon, so viewing conditions will be unfavorable. To see more shooting stars, try observing from a place where the Moon is hidden by a tree, building, or hillside. Read our dedicated article to learn more about the Southern Delta Aquariids.
July 30–31: α-Capricornids
- Designation: 001 CAP
- Meteors per hour: 5
- Moon phase: bright waning gibbous Moon, near the Full Moon
- Active: July 3 – August 15
- Radiant location: Capricornus
- Best visible from: both hemispheres
The Alpha Capricornids’ (α-Capricornids) parent body is comet 169P/NEAT. This meteor shower is not prolific but produces slow-moving, bright meteors – sometimes, it even shows some fireballs.
α-Capricornids visibility forecast
In 2026, the Alpha Capricornids peak soon after the Full Moon, so observing conditions will be far from ideal. Still, this meteor shower is worth watching, as its meteors are slow and often strikingly bright. Try to find a dark location and keep the Moon out of your direct line of sight to catch some shooting stars. Read our dedicated article to learn more about the Alpha Capricornids.
How to see shooting stars in June–September?
Here are some essential tips for making the most of your meteor shower viewing experience. For a deeper dive, read our dedicated article on how to watch and photograph shooting stars.
What is the best time to watch a meteor shower?
The timing of your viewing is crucial for maximizing your chances of seeing meteors. Here are some key points to consider:
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Peak nights: Meteor showers occur at specific times of the year, peaking during certain nights. See the meteor shower calendar or check the “Meteors” section in the Sky Tonight app calendar for the specific dates of upcoming showers.
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Moonlight: A bright Moon can wash out fainter meteors, so it’s best to plan your viewing during a New Moon or after the moonset. Our website has an interactive lunar calendar. You can scroll through the phases and find out the moonrise and moonset times for your location.
What is the best place to watch a meteor shower?
Find a location away from city lights and light pollution. Darker skies provide a better backdrop for observing meteors. Also, avoid areas with tall trees or buildings that might block your view. Look for open fields, parks, or elevated areas that offer an unobstructed view of the sky.
Where to look to see the meteors?
Each meteor shower has a radiant point — the spot in the sky from which the meteors seem to shoot out. For instance, the Perseids' radiant lies in the constellation Perseus. You can easily locate the radiant using the Sky Tonight app — it has an interactive sky map tailored to your location. While the number of meteors increases as the radiant climbs higher, you don’t need to stare right at it — in fact, it’s better if you don’t, as the meteors will appear shorter due to perspective. Meteors can streak across any part of the sky, so lie back and take in as wide a view as possible for the best experience.
Check our infographic to get more useful tips on seeing and photographing meteors.
Meteor showers in June-September 2026: key points
August offers some of the season’s best meteor-watching opportunities. The Eta Eridanids peak first on August 7 and favor Southern Hemisphere observers, although they are a weak shower. The month’s main event is the Perseids on August 12–13, best seen from mid-northern latitudes. The New Moon will eliminate lunar interference, while the nominal ZHR can reach 100, although background activity is expected to be lower in 2026. The Kappa Cygnids follow on August 17; they are much less active but may produce occasional bright fireballs.
Use the Sky Tonight app to check meteor shower peak dates, locate the radiants in your sky, and set reminders so you don’t miss the best viewing times.
Check if you are ready to watch shooting stars by taking our quiz! Also, see our calendar of the best meteor showers 2026. We wish you clear skies and happy observations!
