Northern Taurids 2026

Meteor shower from 2P/Encke · up to 5 meteors per hour

Next peak (showing UTC)

Active
to
Moon at peak
9% lit
Speed
29 km/s

Choose a location to see how high the radiant climbs from your city.

About the Northern Taurids

The Northern Taurids are caused by Earth crossing the trail of dust left by 2P/Encke. The meteors appear to stream from a point called the radiant, at right ascension 58° and declination 22°, and hit the atmosphere at about 29 km/s. The peak is defined by the Sun's ecliptic longitude of 230°, which is why the date shifts slightly from year to year.

The zenithal hourly rate of 5 assumes a perfectly dark sky with the radiant overhead. From most locations expect fewer, and far fewer if the Moon is bright. The radiant is well placed from both hemispheres.

Upcoming peaks

YearPeak (UTC)ActiveMoon at peak
2026 to 9%
2027 to 97%
2028 to 28%
2029 to 41%
2030 to 96%
2031 to 6%

Choose your location

Moon times, dates and names depend on where you are. Pick a city; we will remember it.

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