Aurigid meteor shower to peak in late August and early September

The Aurigid meteor shower is expected to reach its peak activity between August 31 and September 1, 2026. This annual astronomical event is caused by debris from the long-period comet C/1911 N1 (Kiess) entering Earth's atmosphere.

Observers can expect to see up to 10 meteors per hour during the peak. The meteors are noted for their high speed, traveling at approximately 66 km/s, and often leave visible light trails behind them. The radiant point for this shower is located in the constellation Auriga.

Visibility may be challenged by a bright moon, as the lunar cycle is currently near a full moon phase, which can obscure fainter meteors. For the best viewing experience, experts recommend observing during the second half of the night in areas with low light pollution. In Ecuador, the Quito Astronomical Observatory suggests the best viewing window occurs between 04:00 and 05:00 ECT.