Summer meteor showers. Best viewing nights, Florida dark sky locations
Summer meteor showers. Best viewing nights, Florida dark sky locations
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY NETWORK - FloridaThu, May 7, 2026 at 12:46 PM UTC
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Summer meteor showers. Best viewing nights, Florida dark sky locations
Within the first five months of 2026, stargazers have been treated to three dazzling meteor showers that sent "shooting stars" streaking across the night sky.
The peak of the third major meteor shower of 2026, the Eta Aquarids, has come and gone after becoming most active for two nights in early May.
The bad news? Stargazers will have to wait a few months for the next observable meteor shower activity.
But there's also good news: When the cosmic phenomenon resumes in July, spectators will be treated to a string of meteor showers. That includes two that will overlap during their peaks, and the third of which is considered the best meteor shower of them all: the Perseids.
With this summer meteor shower season around the corner, here's everything to know about how, where and when you can see each natural celestial display in Florida.
After peak, Eta Aquarids remain active to late May
The Eta Aquarids, one of two annual meteor showers caused by debris from the famous Halley's comet, peaked May 5-6. But you still have time to catch site of the meteors (sometimes spelled as "Aquariids,") which became active April 19 and will end May 28, according to the American Meteor Society.
When is the next meteor shower? 2 to peak at same time in July
Up next, both Southern Delta Aquarids and the alpha Capricornids are due to peak at the same time between July 30-31, according to the American Meteor Society.
The Capricornids begin their activity July 3, followed by the Southern Delta Aquarids on July 12. Both meteor showers will remain active until Aug. 12.
Unfortunately, neither shower is famed for being very strong in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the U.S.
The Southern Delta Aquarids are faint meteors that are difficult enough to spot as it is. But if the moon is visible at all, it will be near impossible, according to NASA.
Perseids, best meteor shower of 2026, due in August
Later this summer, what is widely considered among stargazers and astronomers alike to be the best meteor shower of the year will hit its peak.
Made up of leftover particles from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids meteor shower gained its reputation for the plentiful whizzing meteors and blazing fireballs it reliably produces each year pretty much around the globe. Fireballs, large explosions of light and color, can persist even longer than an average meteor streak, NASA says.
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In 2026, the Perseids will be active July 17-Aug. 24, peaking for two nights between Aug. 12-13.
What are meteor showers? Here's what causes 'shooting stars'
Named after star constellation, meteor showers occur when Earth passes through dusty debris trails left by comets and other space objects as they orbit the sun.
The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA. Those resulting fireballs, colloquially known as "shooting stars," are meteors no larger than the size of a pea that burn up in the atmosphere, NASA explains.
Meteor showers occur on a predictable schedule each year, with some lasting for mere days and others stretching on for weeks. But a meteor shower is at its best when the Earth passes through the densest part of the associated cosmic debris, otherwise known as the shower's peak activity.
Where are meteor showers visible? Dark sky locations in Florida
Want to find a dark area near you? DarkSky International is a U.S nonprofit that maintains a list of designated dark sky communities around the world, including 173 in the United States.
That includes these three locations in Florida:
Groveland in Lake County about 30 miles west of Orlando
Kissimmee Praire Preserve State Park, 25 miles north of Okeechobee
Big Cyrpress National Preserve in Ochopee in South Florida, in the Everglades
When, how to see meteor showers. Viewing tips
In general, the best time to see meteors are between midnight and dawn. Visit the website Time and Date to find the best times and viewing directions for your location.
Here are some general viewing tips that NASA often provides before a meteor shower becomes active.
Find an area far away from street lights and the light pollution of cities.
Depending on the time of year, come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair to sit in.
Lie flat on your back and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.
Within 30 minutes, your eyes should adapt so that you can see streaking meteors. But be patient, NASA warns: Most activity is visible until dawn.
What other meteor showers are happening in 2026?
Here's a look at other meteor showers coming up in 2026, including the date range that they're active and when they'll peak, according to the American Meteor Society.
Orionids, active Oct. 2-Nov. 7; peaks Oct. 21-22.
Southern Taurids, active Sept. 20-Nov. 20; peaks Nov. 4-5.
Northern Taurids, active Oct. 20-Dec. 10; peaks Nov. 11-12.
Leonids, active Nov. 6-30; peaks Nov. 16-17.
Geminids, active Dec. 4-17; peaks Dec. 13-14.
Ursids, active Dec. 17-26; peaks Dec. 21-22.
The Quadrantids will also begin in 2026 on Dec. 28, but the shower will not peak until Jan. 3, 2027.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Perseids headline summer meteor showers. Where in Florida to see them
Source: “AOL Breaking”
