The Alpha Capricornids (CAP) are active Jul 3 – Aug 15 and peak around July 30, 2027, with a zenithal hourly rate of about 5 under ideal skies. They come from comet 169P/NEAT, hit the atmosphere at 23 km/s, and are best seen late evening to 2 a.m. (bright fireballs). The moon will be about 13% illuminated at the peak.
Peak
Jul 30
2027
ZHR
5
meteors/hour, ideal sky
Moon at peak
13%
Waning Crescent
Radiant
RA 307°
Dec -10°
Alpha Capricornids 2027: best time and expected rate by state
| State | Best time (local) | Radiant altitude | Est. rate/hour (dark sky) | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 12:41 AM | 46° | 4 | 13% |
| Alaska | 1:46 AM | 21° | 2 | 12% (up) |
| Arizona | 12:23 AM | 46° | 4 | 13% |
| Arkansas | 1:15 AM | 44° | 3 | 13% |
| California | 12:55 AM | 43° | 3 | 13% |
| Colorado | 1:09 AM | 41° | 3 | 13% |
| Connecticut | 12:53 AM | 38° | 3 | 14% |
| Delaware | 1:08 AM | 40° | 3 | 14% |
| District of Columbia | 1:11 AM | 41° | 3 | 14% |
| Florida | 1:21 AM | 51° | 4 | 14% |
| Georgia | 1:35 AM | 45° | 4 | 13% |
| Hawaii | 12:28 AM | 59° | 4 | 12% |
| Idaho | 1:43 AM | 36° | 3 | 13% |
| Illinois | 12:52 AM | 40° | 3 | 13% |
| Indiana | 1:38 AM | 40° | 3 | 13% |
| Iowa | 1:18 AM | 38° | 3 | 13% |
| Kansas | 1:29 AM | 41° | 3 | 13% |
| Kentucky | 1:35 AM | 42° | 3 | 13% |
| Louisiana | 1:04 AM | 50° | 4 | 13% |
| Maine | 12:30 AM | 35° | 3 | 14% |
| Maryland | 1:10 AM | 41° | 3 | 14% |
| Massachusetts | 12:51 AM | 38° | 3 | 14% |
| Michigan | 1:50 AM | 34° | 3 | 13% |
| Minnesota | 1:08 AM | 33° | 3 | 13% |
| Mississippi | 12:49 AM | 47° | 4 | 13% |
| Missouri | 1:05 AM | 42° | 3 | 13% |
| Montana | 1:40 AM | 32° | 3 | 13% |
| Nebraska | 1:44 AM | 38° | 3 | 13% |
| Nevada | 12:50 AM | 41° | 3 | 13% |
| New Hampshire | 12:48 AM | 36° | 3 | 14% |
| New Jersey | 12:54 AM | 40° | 3 | 14% |
| New Mexico | 1:07 AM | 45° | 4 | 13% |
| New York | 12:52 AM | 37° | 3 | 14% |
| North Carolina | 1:31 AM | 44° | 3 | 13% |
| North Dakota | 1:43 AM | 32° | 3 | 13% |
| Ohio | 1:25 AM | 40° | 3 | 14% |
| Oklahoma | 1:30 AM | 45° | 4 | 13% |
| Oregon | 1:14 AM | 36° | 3 | 13% |
| Pennsylvania | 1:04 AM | 39° | 3 | 14% |
| Rhode Island | 12:48 AM | 38° | 3 | 14% |
| South Carolina | 1:20 AM | 46° | 4 | 14% |
| South Dakota | 12:56 AM | 36° | 3 | 13% |
| Tennessee | 12:44 AM | 45° | 4 | 13% |
| Texas | 1:32 AM | 50° | 4 | 13% |
| Utah | 1:25 AM | 41° | 3 | 13% |
| Vermont | 12:54 AM | 36° | 3 | 14% |
| Virginia | 1:12 AM | 42° | 3 | 14% |
| Washington | 1:10 AM | 32° | 3 | 13% |
| West Virginia | 1:22 AM | 41° | 3 | 14% |
| Wisconsin | 12:50 AM | 35° | 3 | 13% |
| Wyoming | 1:29 AM | 36° | 3 | 13% |
Computed for each state's central location on the peak night. Rate = ZHR × sin(radiant altitude); light pollution and haze reduce it further.
How to photograph a meteor shower
- Use your widest fast lens (14–24 mm, f/1.4–2.8) and point it about 45–60° away from the radiant, where meteors leave longer trails.
- Shoot continuously with an intervalometer: 10–25 s exposures at ISO 1600–6400 for as long as the batteries last.
- Bright meteors are rare — expect a handful of keepers from hundreds of frames, then composite them.
- Dew forms quickly on clear nights; a lens heater band saves the session.
- Choose a dark location from the state pages below and arrive before astronomical dusk to set up.
FAQ
When do the Alpha Capricornids peak in 2027?
Around July 30, 2027; activity runs Jul 3 – Aug 15.
What time is best to watch the Alpha Capricornids?
Late evening to 2 a.m. (bright fireballs), when the radiant is highest and the sky is darkest.
Will the moon interfere with the Alpha Capricornids in 2027?
The moon is about 13% lit at the peak. That is close to ideal.