Meteor showers, checked against the moon
A meteor shower is only as good as its sky: a bright moon can turn a 100-meteors-per-hour peak into a handful. For every major shower we compute the exact moon illumination on the peak night — so you know which years are worth the drive.
| Shower | Peak night | Moon at peak | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orionids 2026 | October 21, 2026 | 75% moon · washed out | Guide → |
| Leonids 2026 | November 17, 2026 | 48% moon · mixed | Guide → |
| Geminids 2026 | December 14, 2026 | 23% moon · good | Guide → |
| Ursids 2026 | December 22, 2026 | 95% moon · washed out | Guide → |
| Quadrantids 2027 | January 3, 2027 | 18% moon · good | Guide → |
| Lyrids 2027 | April 22, 2027 | 98% moon · washed out | Guide → |
| Eta Aquariids 2027 | May 6, 2027 | 0% moon · excellent | Guide → |
| Southern Delta Aquariids 2027 | July 30, 2027 | 14% moon · excellent | Guide → |
| Perseids 2027 | August 13, 2027 | 86% moon · washed out | Guide → |
| Orionids 2027 | October 21, 2027 | 66% moon · mixed | Guide → |
| Leonids 2027 | November 17, 2027 | 88% moon · washed out | Guide → |
| Geminids 2027 | December 14, 2027 | 99% moon · washed out | Guide → |
| Ursids 2027 | December 22, 2027 | 30% moon · good | Guide → |
Where to watch from? Start with the darkest skies in the Southwest.