Upcoming Meteor Showers: When to Watch This Spring’s Shooting Stars

Upcoming Meteor Showers: When to Watch This Spring’s Shooting Stars

You may witness some shooting stars racing across the night sky as two of the first meteor showers of 2026 approach their peak activity in the upcoming weeks.

According to the American Meteor Society, the annual Lyrid meteor shower will be active from April 14 to April 30, but it is predicted to peak late on April 21 and early on April 22.

According to experts, the moonlight shouldn't obstruct the sight because the April moon will be roughly 27% full on the peak night.

According to NASA, the Lyrids shower "comes from debris left behind by Comet Thatcher." "When this junk strikes our atmosphere and burns up, we witness the "shooting stars" of a meteor shower.”

The Eta Aquarids, another spring meteor shower, will occur between April 19 and May 28. It will be at its busiest late on May 5 and early on May 6.

Regretfully, viewing will be hampered because the moon will be almost 85% full during the peak night.

The Eta Aquarid shower typically generates 10 to 30 meteors per hour at its peak, just before dawn, according to the AMS. However, this year's moonlight will probably reduce that figure to less than 10 meteors each hour.

Best Meteor Shower of 2026: Geminids Expected to Dazzle Skywatchers This December

Astronomy experts say the Geminid meteor shower is shaping up to be the best celestial show of 2026, with peak viewing expected overnight on December 13 into December 14.

Known as one of the brightest and most reliable annual meteor showers, the Geminids could produce up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal dark-sky conditions. This year’s display is especially promising because the shower will peak under favorable moon conditions, with only minimal moonlight interference, allowing for clearer views of the sky.

The Geminids are caused by debris from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, unlike most meteor showers, which come from comets. As Earth passes through this debris stream each December, tiny particles burn up in the atmosphere, creating brilliant streaks of light.

Skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere are expected to get the best views, though the shower will also be visible in parts of the Southern Hemisphere. Experts recommend heading to dark locations away from city lights after 10 p.m., with the best activity occurring after midnight and before dawn.

While the Perseid meteor shower in August is often the most popular because of warm summer weather, astronomers note that the Geminids are typically stronger and more colorful — making them the top meteor event of the year.

For anyone hoping to catch the “best meteor shower of 2026,” December’s Geminids are expected to deliver a spectacular night sky performance worth staying up for.