Orionid meteor shower 2026: cloud cover forecast by region

iew of a shooting star (Draconid) and northern light near Skekarsbo at the Farnebofjardens national park 150 kilometers north of Stockholm on October 8, 2011(Getty Images)Most meteor showers demand a 2 a.m. wake-up call. The Draconids are breaking that mold. Will the weather allow you to see the meteor shower? When is the meteor shower? This meteor shower peaks Thursday into the early morning hours of Friday, but there is some good news. The "main maximum" peak of the shower happens at 9 p.m. EDT, much earlier than most meteor showers. If you have to pick a time to go out, this is it.(MORE: The best way to watch a meteor shower)It is earlier because the Draconids’ radiant point, near the constellation Draco the Dragon, sits high in the sky during evening hours for Northern Hemisphere viewers, rather than climbing after midnight like most showers do. This is the year to view this meteor shower because the new moon arrives Saturday. This means the sky is moonless, and even faint, fast-fading meteors should be easier to catch. Get More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.

As the nights grow longer and cooler throughout Autumn, it is an excellent time of year for stargazing, and for spotting meteors flashing across the sky almost every night of the season. Here are the astronomical events of Fall 2026:Visit our Complete Guide to Fall 2026 for an in depth look at the Fall Forecast, tips to plan for it and much more! Fall EquinoxOn the night of September 22, at exactly 7:05 p.m. EDT, the Sun will appear directly above the equator, as it transitions from the northern to the southern sky. This moment marks the Autumnal Equinox and the start of astronomical fall for the northern hemisphere. Meanwhile, in the southern hemisphere, it will be the Vernal Equinox and the start of astronomical spring. So, what does it mean for the Sun to appear directly above the equator? Due to the tilt of our planet's axis, for nearly the entire year, the position that's directly under the Sun — known as the 'subsolar point' — is either north or south of the equator. The locations of the subsolar points on the Equinoxes and Solstices for 2026 shows where the Sun's rays shine directly down onto the planet at those dates and times.

How to shoot the Perseid meteor shower with just your phoneThis year's Perseid meteor shower is supposed to be one of the most stunning in years, and the only thing better than seeing it yourself is capturing the perfect photo so you can see it again for years to come. Think you're out of luck with just a smartphone? You're actually not. Here are some of the best tips and tricks to shoot the Perseids:But first, the when and where... While the meteor shower runs from July 17 to Aug. 24, the peak is Wednesday night (Aug. 12) into the early hours of Thursday (Aug. 13). This coincides with the new moon, which means there will be no moonlight interference for this celestial show.(MORE: One moon, two shows: the strangest sky day of 2026)This brings us to our first tip — get away from the city lights. Get More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value. Light pollution can make it difficult to both view the meteors with your eyes as well as capture them on your phone.(Lisa Pringle)Tips and tricks for taking picturesBefore you head out, make sure to grab a tripod because having your phone stable is key.

(NASA)The 2026 Perseid meteor shower is shaping up to be one of the best celestial displays in years, with peak activity occurring during a new moon that promises completely dark skies for optimal viewing conditions. Here's the best night to watchThe Perseid meteor shower officially runs from July 17 through Aug. 24, but the peak viewing window falls on the night of Aug. 12-13, coinciding precisely with a new moon phase. This rare alignment eliminates all moonlight interference, creating ideal conditions for spotting the shower's characteristic bright, fast-moving meteors. According to NASA, observers under dark skies can expect to see up to 100 meteors per hour during peak activity, with rates building throughout the night and reaching maximum intensity in the pre-dawn hours between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. local time. The weather connection: atmospheric drama at 3,000 degreesWhen Perseid meteoroids, which are actually tiny debris fragments from Comet Swift-Tuttle, slam into Earth's atmosphere at 37 miles per second, they create a spectacular atmospheric light show.

The annual Orionid meteor shower reaches its peak this week, offering the chance to see fragments of the most famous comet of all streaking across the night sky. The Orionids occur every October as Earth passes through a stream of dust left behind by Halley’s comet. As these tiny particles plunge into Earth’s atmosphere at about 66 kilometres per second, they heat the surrounding air and produce the fleeting streaks of light that we call meteors. This year, the shower is expected to reach its peak during the night of 21–22 October. Under ideal conditions, observers may see between 10 and 20 Orionid meteors per hour. Unfortunately, conditions this year are not ideal because of the presence of a bright waxing gibbous Moon. This will drown out many of the fainter meteors. Nevertheless, conditions improve during the early hours of the morning. The moon sets at about 03:00 BST, leaving a few hours of darker sky before dawn, just as Orion is climbing high into the sky. Find a safe location with as wide a view of the heavens as possible and simply watch with the naked eye. The chart shows the view looking south-east from London at midnight as 21 becomes 22 October.

The Orionid meteor shower peaks overnight on Oct. 21-22, bringing a spectacular display of shooting stars to the autumn sky.