Miss the Perseids amid clouds? Here are 5 upcoming meteor showers, including one with up to 150 meteors an hour
Many Coloradans who looked up to the night sky during the early hours of Aug. 13 in search of the highly active Perseids meteor shower were met with disappointment as consistent clouds rolled through. Fear not, though, as several more chances to spot meteors sailing across the night sky are coming up.
For starters, it’s worth noting that the Perseids technically last until Aug. 24. That means there will still be meteors from this shower visible over the next week or so, though just not at the same rate of 50 to 90 or even more per hour under a new moon sky that occurred during this week’s peak. Be warned – the number of meteors the Perseids produce does drop off quickly after its peak, but there’s still a good chance of spotting some activity in days to come in a dark spot away from light pollution.
Can’t plan another trip into the mountains to spot the dwindling show over upcoming days? Here are a few more meteor showers to put on your calendar, according to the American Meteor Society:
1. The Orionids:
This meteor shower stretches from Oct. 2 to Nov. 7, peaking on the night of Oct. 21 to 22. While this shower can produce about 50 to 75 meteors per hour during peak years, recent displays have been humbler. It’s also worth noting that the moon will be 80 percent full during the peak night, so the few hours between moonset and dawn will provide a more limited viewing opportunity.
2. The Southern Taurids:
Set to take place between Sept. 20 and Nov. 20, this meteor shower actually includes two components – one that will peak on the night of Oct.13 to 14 and a second that will peak on Nov. 4 to 5. While the second component is known for its fireballs during ‘swarm years,’ the American Meteor Society indicates that 2026 isn’t a ‘swarm year,’ thus the mid-October peak may actually bring the best chance to view this one. During the first peak night, the moon should be about 10 percent full, and about 18 percent full during the second peak. Both the Southern and Northern Taurids (more on that below) tend to have less activity – about five to 10 meteors per hour.
3. The Northern Taurids:
Coinciding with the Southern Taurids, the Northern Taurids meteor shower stretches from Oct. 20 through Dec. 10, peaking on the night of Nov. 11 to 12. On that night, the moon will be about seven percent full. The best viewing time will be after midnight, but again, expect five to 10 meteors per hour opposed to dozens.
4. The Leonids:
Another meteor shower that will likely bring lower member numbers this year – around 10 to 15 an hour – the American Meteor Society reports this meteor shower will run from Nov. 6 through Nov. 30. During the peak night – Nov. 16 to 17 – the moon will be about 45 percent full, though the American Meteor Society indicates this shouldn’t spoil the show for the best viewing time, which tends to be early morning hours.
5. The Geminids:
This is probably the best upcoming chance to see meteor activity similar to that of the Perseids, with the Geminids producing up to 150 meteors per hour during its peak. According to the American Meteor Society, it will stretch from Dec. 4 through Dec. 17, peaking on the night of Dec. 13 to 14 when the moon is 21 percent full. Worth noting, however, is that the moon should be set by the time the Geminids are best viewed.
BONUS: The Perseids 2029:
While the Perseids meteor shower of 2027 and 2028 will be relatively obstructed by the glow of the moon, the Perseids meteor shower that’s set to peak around Aug. 11 to 12, 2029, will occur when the moon is about five percent full. It’s not a new moon, but it’ll be about as close as it gets.
Learn more about upcoming meteor showers here.





