The Northern Taurids (NTA) are active Oct 20 – Dec 10 and peak around November 12, 2026, with a zenithal hourly rate of about 5 under ideal skies. They come from comet 2P/Encke, hit the atmosphere at 29 km/s, and are best seen around midnight (fireballs). The moon will be about 9% illuminated at the peak.
Peak
Nov 12
2026
ZHR
5
meteors/hour, ideal sky
Moon at peak
9%
Waxing Crescent
Radiant
RA 58°
Dec +22°
Northern Taurids 2026: best time and expected rate by state
| State | Best time (local) | Radiant altitude | Est. rate/hour (dark sky) | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 12:13 AM | 78° | 5 | 9% |
| Alaska | 1:19 AM | 53° | 4 | 10% |
| Arizona | 12:52 AM | 78° | 5 | 9% |
| Arkansas | 12:37 AM | 76° | 5 | 9% |
| California | 12:23 AM | 75° | 5 | 9% |
| Colorado | 12:28 AM | 73° | 5 | 9% |
| Connecticut | 12:27 AM | 70° | 5 | 9% |
| Delaware | 12:24 AM | 72° | 5 | 9% |
| District of Columbia | 12:30 AM | 73° | 5 | 9% |
| Florida | 12:59 AM | 83° | 5 | 9% |
| Georgia | 1:01 AM | 77° | 5 | 9% |
| Hawaii | 12:49 AM | 88° | 5 | 10% |
| Idaho | 1:13 AM | 68° | 5 | 9% |
| Illinois | 12:17 AM | 72° | 5 | 9% |
| Indiana | 1:08 AM | 72° | 5 | 9% |
| Iowa | 12:48 AM | 70° | 5 | 9% |
| Kansas | 12:49 AM | 73° | 5 | 9% |
| Kentucky | 1:00 AM | 74° | 5 | 9% |
| Louisiana | 12:35 AM | 82° | 5 | 9% |
| Maine | 12:11 AM | 67° | 5 | 9% |
| Maryland | 12:28 AM | 73° | 5 | 9% |
| Massachusetts | 12:19 AM | 70° | 5 | 9% |
| Michigan | 1:18 AM | 66° | 5 | 9% |
| Minnesota | 12:44 AM | 65° | 5 | 9% |
| Mississippi | 12:24 AM | 79° | 5 | 9% |
| Missouri | 12:30 AM | 74° | 5 | 9% |
| Montana | 1:05 AM | 64° | 4 | 9% |
| Nebraska | 1:15 AM | 70° | 5 | 9% |
| Nevada | 12:07 AM | 73° | 5 | 9% |
| New Hampshire | 12:20 AM | 68° | 5 | 9% |
| New Jersey | 12:20 AM | 72° | 5 | 9% |
| New Mexico | 12:32 AM | 77° | 5 | 9% |
| New York | 12:32 AM | 69° | 5 | 9% |
| North Carolina | 12:53 AM | 76° | 5 | 9% |
| North Dakota | 1:12 AM | 64° | 4 | 9% |
| Ohio | 12:52 AM | 72° | 5 | 9% |
| Oklahoma | 12:53 AM | 77° | 5 | 9% |
| Oregon | 12:42 AM | 68° | 5 | 9% |
| Pennsylvania | 12:28 AM | 71° | 5 | 9% |
| Rhode Island | 12:21 AM | 70° | 5 | 9% |
| South Carolina | 12:50 AM | 78° | 5 | 9% |
| South Dakota | 12:27 AM | 68° | 5 | 9% |
| Tennessee | 12:06 AM | 77° | 5 | 9% |
| Texas | 1:02 AM | 82° | 5 | 9% |
| Utah | 12:46 AM | 73° | 5 | 9% |
| Vermont | 12:25 AM | 68° | 5 | 9% |
| Virginia | 12:38 AM | 74° | 5 | 9% |
| Washington | 12:38 AM | 64° | 4 | 9% |
| West Virginia | 12:44 AM | 73° | 5 | 9% |
| Wisconsin | 12:30 AM | 67° | 5 | 9% |
| Wyoming | 12:56 AM | 68° | 5 | 9% |
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 Northern Taurids peak in 2026?
Around November 12, 2026; activity runs Oct 20 – Dec 10.
What time is best to watch the Northern Taurids?
Around midnight (fireballs), when the radiant is highest and the sky is darkest.
Will the moon interfere with the Northern Taurids in 2026?
The moon is about 9% lit at the peak. That is close to ideal.