By Alexander Merz · Updated on · Details checked on 7 October 2026
After a dazzling August lit up by the Perseids, the sky seems to go quiet in September. Patient skywatchers, though, can still catch a few streaks of light, including those of the Alpha Aurigids, a subtle meteor shower whose radiant sits in the constellation Auriga, the Charioteer. Here’s how to spot these meteors and the other faint showers of September 2026.
More in our overview: Shooting Stars.
The quick answer: The Alpha Aurigids are a faint meteor shower (fewer than 5 meteors per hour) produced by comet C/1911 N1 Kiess. The 2026 peak falls on the night of September 1–2. Look for the radiant high in Auriga after midnight, well away from city lights.
What Are the Alpha Aurigids?
The Alpha Aurigids are a thin meteor shower that flickers to life over the northern sky between late August and early September. Their radiant, the point from which the meteors appear to stream, lies high in the constellation Auriga, close to the bright star Capella. That high vantage point is exactly what gives you the best odds of catching a shooting star, even when the rates are modest.
The parent body of this shower is the long-period comet C/1911 N1 Kiess. Because it only returns to perihelion roughly every 2,500 years, it rarely lays down fresh dust trails along Earth’s orbit. That’s why the hourly rate stays low and may even weaken further in the years ahead.
When to Watch the Alpha Aurigids Peak in 2026
The peak of activity arrives on the night of September 1–2. That’s when Earth passes through the densest part of the trail left by comet Kiess. Even so, rates stay below 5 meteors per hour, so patience is essential. Aim for the hours after midnight, when the radiant climbs higher into the northeastern sky.
Early September: Auriga, Aquarius and Triangulum
September is far from empty if you know where to look. After the Alpha Aurigids, the Gamma Aquariids reach their maximum around September 7–8. Their radiant sits in Aquarius, right on the ecliptic. The parent body’s trail crosses Earth’s orbit eight times a year, but the September shower is among the weakest of them.
Discovered only recently, the Aries Triangulids stream from the direction of the constellation Triangulum. The best chance to catch their faint rate comes on the night of September 11–12.
Late September: The Faint Showers Wind Down
Also starting September 11, the Southern Piscids reach their peak. Their rate is modest, but with a little luck you can spot meteors from this shower through September 20. In between, it’s worth glancing toward the constellation Draco: on September 12–13, another parent body scatters a handful of meteors across the northern sky.
Then comes a full week with no notable shooting stars. Not until the night of September 23–24 and the peak of the Gamma Piscids does the sky come alive again, once more with a radiant in the constellation Pisces. The parent body left a fairly broad trail here, so this shower sprinkles meteors from late August all the way to mid-October, though the rate peaks on the night described.
September 2026 Meteor Shower Calendar
| Shower | Peak | Radiant | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Aurigids | Night of Sep 1–2 | Auriga | < 5 / hr |
| Gamma Aquariids | Sep 7–8 | Aquarius | Very low |
| Aries Triangulids | Night of Sep 11–12 | Triangulum | Very low |
| Southern Piscids | Sep 11–20 | Pisces | Low |
| Gamma Piscids | Night of Sep 23–24 | Pisces | Low |
What Gear Do You Need for These Faint Meteors?
For meteors, your naked eye is still the best instrument: it takes in the whole sky, while a telescope narrows the view to just a few degrees. A good pair of binoculars is a wonderful companion, though, revealing Capella, the open star clusters of Auriga and the riches of the Milky Way during the long stretches of waiting between streaks.
Best value: Omegon Brightsky 10x50 Binoculars
Bright, high-contrast binoculars: perfect for the Moon, star clusters and Milky Way fields, handheld.
Price: € 289
* Affiliate link: if you buy through this link we may earn a small commission from Astroshop or High Point Scientific, at no extra cost to you.
Practical Tips for a Successful Night Out
- Pick a spot far from city lights: a dark sky is your greatest ally.
- Let your eyes adapt to the dark for at least 20 minutes, and keep off your phone.
- Lie back comfortably and take in a wide swath of sky rather than staring at the radiant.
- Dress warmly: September nights turn chilly, even after a beautiful day.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Alpha Aurigids
How many Alpha Aurigids can you see per hour?
Fewer than 5 meteors per hour, even at peak. This is a faint shower, so patience and a truly dark sky are key.
Where is the radiant of the Alpha Aurigids?
In the constellation Auriga, near the star Capella, high in the northeastern sky during the second half of the night.
Which comet causes the Alpha Aurigids?
The long-period comet C/1911 N1 Kiess, which only returns to perihelion about every 2,500 years.
Do you need a telescope to see shooting stars?
No. Meteors are best seen with the naked eye, which covers the entire sky. Binoculars are mainly for enjoying fixed objects between streaks.
When does the Alpha Aurigids peak in 2026?
On the night of September 1–2, 2026, when Earth passes through the densest part of comet Kiess’s trail.