2026 meteor calendar

Meteor Showers 2026

The 2026 meteor-shower calendar is useful only when it connects dates to real viewing conditions: peak timing, Moon interference, radiant behaviour, artificial light and whether you have enough open sky.

Perseids
12-13 August 2026, very favourable Moon conditions
Orionids
October 2026, useful autumn shower
Leonids
November 2026, peak timing varies by source and location
Geminids
December 2026, major winter shower

Moon conditions are favourable

The 2026 Perseids arrive close to New Moon, so Moon interference should be low during the main viewing period. This does not guarantee visible meteors because cloud, haze and artificial light still matter.

Artificial light still matters

Move away from direct lamps and dense urban glow where practical. SunPoint can guide open-sky decisions, but it does not yet certify Bortle class, official dark-sky status or precise darkness rankings.

2026 quick answer

The Perseids are the immediate priority for 2026 because the peak falls close to New Moon. Later 2026 showers such as the Orionids, Leonids and Geminids should each be assessed by their own peak timing and Moon conditions rather than treated as equal calendar entries.

Why Moon conditions matter

A shower can peak at the right date but still disappoint if the Moon is bright and above the horizon during the best viewing hours. SunPoint's meteor-shower pages treat Moon conditions as a first-class viewing factor.

Where to look

Each meteor shower has a radiant, but the radiant is a reference direction rather than a point to stare at. The practical aim is a broad open sky with limited direct artificial light.

Frequently asked questions

When is the meteor shower in 2026?

There are several meteor showers in 2026. The immediate SunPoint focus is the Perseids on 12-13 August 2026.

Which 2026 meteor shower has the best Moon conditions?

The 2026 Perseids are especially favourable because the peak is close to New Moon.

Can SunPoint tell me where to go?

SunPoint can help you use a location or pin to think about direction and nearby open-sky viewing options, but it does not yet certify dark-sky quality.

Related meteor-shower guides

SunPoint viewing note

Use the radiant as a reference and scan a broad area of sky. SunPoint does not publish dark-sky or Bortle claims without supporting light-pollution data.