The Southern Taurids (STA) are active Sep 10 – Nov 20 and peak around October 10, 2027, with a zenithal hourly rate of about 5 under ideal skies. They come from comet 2P/Encke, hit the atmosphere at 27 km/s, and are best seen around midnight (fireballs). The moon will be about 76% illuminated at the peak.
Peak
Oct 10
2027
ZHR
5
meteors/hour, ideal sky
Moon at peak
76%
Waxing Gibbous
Radiant
RA 32°
Dec +9°
Southern Taurids 2027: best time and expected rate by state
| State | Best time (local) | Radiant altitude | Est. rate/hour (dark sky) | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1:44 AM | 65° | 5 | 75% (up) |
| Alaska | 2:54 AM | 40° | 3 | 77% |
| Arizona | 1:24 AM | 65° | 5 | 76% (up) |
| Arkansas | 2:11 AM | 63° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| California | 1:59 AM | 62° | 4 | 76% (up) |
| Colorado | 2:06 AM | 60° | 4 | 76% (up) |
| Connecticut | 1:54 AM | 57° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Delaware | 2:03 AM | 59° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| District of Columbia | 2:09 AM | 60° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Florida | 2:25 AM | 70° | 5 | 75% (up) |
| Georgia | 2:34 AM | 64° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Hawaii | 1:22 AM | 78° | 5 | 77% (up) |
| Idaho | 2:29 AM | 55° | 4 | 76% (up) |
| Illinois | 1:58 AM | 59° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Indiana | 2:48 AM | 59° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Iowa | 2:01 AM | 57° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Kansas | 2:27 AM | 60° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Kentucky | 2:37 AM | 61° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Louisiana | 2:03 AM | 69° | 5 | 75% (up) |
| Maine | 1:27 AM | 54° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Maryland | 2:07 AM | 60° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Massachusetts | 1:32 AM | 57° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Michigan | 2:37 AM | 53° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Minnesota | 2:05 AM | 52° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Mississippi | 1:55 AM | 66° | 5 | 75% (up) |
| Missouri | 2:07 AM | 61° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Montana | 2:27 AM | 51° | 4 | 76% (up) |
| Nebraska | 2:28 AM | 57° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Nevada | 1:45 AM | 60° | 4 | 76% (up) |
| New Hampshire | 1:35 AM | 55° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| New Jersey | 2:00 AM | 59° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| New Mexico | 2:05 AM | 64° | 4 | 76% (up) |
| New York | 1:46 AM | 56° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| North Carolina | 2:27 AM | 63° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| North Dakota | 2:34 AM | 51° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Ohio | 2:32 AM | 59° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Oklahoma | 2:27 AM | 64° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Oregon | 1:58 AM | 55° | 4 | 76% (up) |
| Pennsylvania | 2:09 AM | 58° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Rhode Island | 1:48 AM | 57° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| South Carolina | 2:22 AM | 65° | 5 | 75% (up) |
| South Dakota | 1:43 AM | 55° | 4 | 76% (up) |
| Tennessee | 1:40 AM | 64° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Texas | 2:30 AM | 69° | 5 | 75% (up) |
| Utah | 2:24 AM | 60° | 4 | 76% (up) |
| Vermont | 1:41 AM | 55° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Virginia | 2:15 AM | 61° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Washington | 2:00 AM | 51° | 4 | 76% (up) |
| West Virginia | 2:22 AM | 60° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Wisconsin | 1:47 AM | 54° | 4 | 75% (up) |
| Wyoming | 2:13 AM | 55° | 4 | 76% (up) |
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 Southern Taurids peak in 2027?
Around October 10, 2027; activity runs Sep 10 – Nov 20.
What time is best to watch the Southern Taurids?
Around midnight (fireballs), when the radiant is highest and the sky is darkest.
Will the moon interfere with the Southern Taurids in 2027?
The moon is about 76% lit at the peak. Plan to shoot when the moon is down or keep it behind you.