Southern Taurids 2026

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

Next peak (showing UTC)

Active
to
Moon at peak
15% lit
Speed
27 km/s

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

About the Southern Taurids

The Southern 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 52° and declination 15°, and hit the atmosphere at about 27 km/s. The peak is defined by the Sun's ecliptic longitude of 223°, 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 15%
2027 to 44%
2028 to 94%
2029 to 2%
2030 to 79%
2031 to 66%

Choose your location

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

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