# Taurids meteor shower 2026 and 2027 > When the Taurids peak in 2026 and 2027, how much moonlight there will be, and the best time to watch from the UK. Calculated, not copied. URL: https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/meteor-showers/taurids Updated: 2026-10-30 The Taurids are active 10 September – 10 December each year, with a peak rate of about 5 meteors an hour under perfect dark skies. They come from comet 2P/Encke. In 2027 the peak falls on 2 November, with a dark sky with little moonlight. ## Taurids peak dates for the UK Peak times are worked out from the Sun's position along its path (the solar longitude the International Meteor Organization gives for the peak), so they are accurate to within a few hours. Real peaks can arrive early or late. 'Best time' is the hour when the radiant is highest while the sky is properly dark. | Year | Peak (UK time) | Moon at peak | Best time from London | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026 | Mon 2 November (around 10:08 GMT) | Waning crescent, 44% lit | 01:00 GMT, radiant about 56° up | | 2027 | Tue 2 November (around 15:54 GMT) | Waxing crescent, 18% lit | 01:00 GMT, radiant about 56° up | ## What to expect The rate of about 5 an hour is the zenithal hourly rate, a figure for a perfectly dark sky with the radiant overhead. From a UK garden you will usually see a third to a half of that, fewer near towns or under moonlight. Taurids enter the atmosphere at about 27 km per second. The radiant in Taurus is up most of the night in autumn; there is no single sharp peak, so any dark night from late October to mid November is worthwhile. ## History and origin The Taurids come in two streams, Southern and Northern, that together run for weeks in autumn. Rates are low but the meteors are slow and include more bright fireballs than most showers, giving the Taurids their nickname, the 'Halloween fireballs'. The meteors are specks of dust shed by comet 2P/Encke. When Earth crosses that dust each year, the grains burn up about 80 to 100 km overhead. ## How to watch - Find somewhere away from streetlights, ideally with a wide view of the sky. Our [UK dark sky spots by county](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies) list designated places near you. - Give your eyes 20 minutes to adapt, and keep your phone on a dim red screen. - Lie back on a reclining chair and look about two-thirds of the way up the sky, not straight at the radiant. - Dress for twice as cold as you expect, and bring a hot drink. - Check the [moon calendar](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/moon-calendar) for the phase, and the weather forecast for cloud. ## Folklore and tradition Shooting stars have long been seen as signs. A common British wish custom is to make a wish before the meteor fades and keep it secret. Others saw them as souls passing, or as a sign of good luck for the year. We share these as folklore, part of why people have always loved a night under the stars. ## Questions **When do the Taurids peak in 2027?** Around 2 November 2027, near 15:54 GMT UK time. Watch the nights either side too. **How many Taurids will I see?** The peak rate is about 5 an hour under perfect skies. From a typical UK site, expect a fraction of that, depending on darkness and moonlight. **Will the moon spoil the Taurids in 2027?** At the 2027 peak the moon is 18% lit (waxing crescent), so expect a dark sky with little moonlight. **What causes the Taurids?** Dust from comet 2P/Encke, burning up as Earth passes through it. **Do I need a telescope to see the Taurids?** No. Meteors move too fast and across too much of the sky. Your eyes are the best instrument. ## Related - [All meteor showers](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/meteor-showers) - [Meteor shower calendar 2027](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/meteor-showers/2027) - [UK dark sky spots](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies) - [Moon calendar](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/moon-calendar) - [UK stargazing calendar](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/guides/uk-stargazing-calendar-2026-27) --- Starseed UK describes spiritual uses as tradition and belief, never as health or medical claims. UK delivery £3.95, free over £40.