Meteor shower calendar for Pakistan

Meteor showers happen when the Earth ploughs through the dust trail left behind by a comet (or, in the case of the Geminids, an asteroid). The dates below are the recurring peaks that hold from year to year within about 24 hours; the peak hour shifts each year and is published by the IMO. For 2026, the calendar of showers visible from Pakistan looks like this.

ZHR (Zenithal Hourly Rate) is the number a single observer would count under perfect dark skies if the radiant were directly overhead. Real observed rates from a Bortle 1 Chitral site are usually 40–70 % of ZHR at radiant altitudes of 40–60°.

The three that matter most

If you can only plan one meteor night per year in Pakistan, plan it for one of these three:

• Perseids (peak ~12–13 August). The classic summer shower. Radiant in Perseus rises after 22:00 local at 35.85°N and is high in the north-east by 02:00. Warm nights, low humidity — the single best meteor experience of the Pakistani year.
• Geminids (peak ~13–14 December). The richest shower of the year, with fireballs and multi-coloured trails. Radiant near Castor rises by 20:00 and is nearly overhead at midnight. Bring every warm layer you own — Chitral valley temperatures drop below freezing.
• Quadrantids (peak ~3–4 January). Short, sharp peak (only a few hours). Radiant in northern Boötes climbs after midnight. Weather is a gamble at this time of year in northern Pakistan.

How to observe

1. Pick a night within two days of the published peak and within a few days of new moon.
2. Face 45–60° away from the radiant — meteors appear longer at that angle.
3. Lie back, wait at least 20 minutes for your eyes to dark-adapt, and don't touch a phone.
4. Expect long empty minutes between bursts of activity. That is normal.

Related: Astro tourism in Pakistan · Upcoming sky events · Tonight over Chitral