Catch 6 Meteors per hour during Alpha Centaurid meteor shower 2026 happening tonight!

Alpha Centaurid Meteor Shower February 2026. (Image: Canva)

• Alpha Centaurids meteor shower peaks on 8 Feb 2026 with up to 6 meteors per hour
• Best viewing in Southern Hemisphere: Australia, NZ, South America
• Peak night coincides with Last Quarter Moon, minimizing light interference

Did our AI summary help?

The Alpha Centaurids appear every year in early February. This year, the shower will run from 31 January to 20 February 2026.  The peak night falls on 8 February, offering the best viewing opportunity. Observers may see up to six meteors per hour during peak activity. Although modest, it is a reliable and regular winter sky event. Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through debris from comets or asteroids.

What to See?

The Alpha Centaurids produces bright streaks of light across the sky with up to six meteors per hour at peak. Meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Centaurus, near Alpha Centauri. Each shooting star burns quickly as it enters Earth’s atmosphere. The peak night coincides with the Last Quarter Moon, reducing interference.

Where to Watch?

The shower is best seen from the Southern Hemisphere. Regions like Australia, New Zealand, South America and southern Africa are ideal. In southern parts of the Northern Hemisphere, a few meteors may appear.

The meteors radiate from the constellation Centaurus, near Alpha Centauri. Viewing is easiest after local midnight, when the radiant climbs higher. Blocking light from the moon or streetlights improves visibility significantly.

When will this happen? 

The Alpha Centaurid shower is active from 31 January to 20 February 2026.

Its peak night will be on 8 February 2026. For Eastern Standard Time (EST), peak viewing is expected after midnight, roughly 12:00 AM–3:00 AM.

Best seen in the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia, New Zealand and South America. Observers in far southern parts of the Northern Hemisphere may see some meteors. Moonlight interference is minimal this year because the peak coincides with Last Quarter Moon.

How to watch this night sky event? 

The peak night coincides with the Last Quarter Moon, reducing interference. Meteor apps or star maps help locate Centaurus and predict the radiant. Even a small number of meteors is exciting for casual sky watchers.

The shower offers a chance to experience southern sky astronomy firsthand. Find a dark location away from city lights and moonlight. Lie on your back and scan wide areas of the southern sky.