How to watch a meteor shower
Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through trails of dust left by comets (or, for the Geminids and Quadrantids, by asteroid-like objects). The tiny grains burn up high in the atmosphere as "shooting stars". Find a dark place away from city lights, lie back, and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust. You do not need a telescope or binoculars: the wider your view of the sky, the better. Most showers are best after midnight, when your side of Earth faces into the stream. A bright Moon near the peak washes out fainter meteors, so check the moon phase with our Sun & Moon tool.
Solar vs lunar eclipses
A solar eclipse happens at New Moon when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun. A total eclipse is visible only along a narrow path; nearby regions see a partial eclipse. An annular eclipse leaves a bright "ring of fire" because the Moon is farther away and looks slightly smaller. A lunar eclipse happens at Full Moon when Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon, and it can be seen from anywhere on the night side of Earth. During a total lunar eclipse the Moon often turns coppery red.
Eye safety
Never look at the Sun directly, even during a partial or annular eclipse. Use certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2) or a pinhole projector. Only during the brief moments of totality, when the Sun is completely covered, is it safe to look without protection. Lunar eclipses are completely safe to watch with the naked eye.
Dates on this page come from NASA’s eclipse catalogue and the International Meteor Organization’s calendar. Exact peak times vary slightly each year, so check closer to the date.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next big meteor shower?
The countdown at the top shows the next peak. The Perseids (August) and Geminids (December) are usually the strongest.
Will I see 100 meteors an hour?
Rarely. The listed rates assume perfect dark skies. Under suburban skies, 10–30 an hour during a strong shower is more typical.
When is the next total solar eclipse?
12 August 2026 over Greenland, Iceland and Spain, then 2 August 2027 across Spain, North Africa and the Middle East.
More live Earth & Space tools
Data and credits: Eclipse dates: NASA Eclipse Website (public domain). Meteor shower dates: International Meteor Organization calendar (facts summarised in our own words). See all Live Earth & Space tools and our credits page.