| Orionids |
| Dates |
|
Oct. 2 - Nov. 7 |
| Peak Viewing |
|
Oct. 21 - 22 |
| Numbers per Hour |
|
20 |
| Radiant Point* |
|
Constellation Orion |
| Sky Conditions |
|
Moon near last quarter will interfere |
| Best Time |
|
Starts after midnight, peaking near dawn |
| Notes |
|
Irregular peak; known to produce fireballs |
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|
|
|
| Leonids |
| Dates |
|
Nov. 6 - 30 |
| Peak Viewing |
|
Nov. 17 - 18 |
| Numbers per Hour |
|
15 |
| Radiant Point* |
|
Constellation Leo |
| Sky Conditions |
|
Bright moon near last quarter |
| Best Time |
|
Hours before dawn |
| Notes |
|
The peak hours are just before dawn, which is about the time the moon will set. |
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|
|
|
| Geminids |
| Dates |
|
Dec. 4 - 17 |
| Peak Viewing |
|
Dec. 14 - 15 |
| Numbers per Hour |
|
120 |
| Radiant Point* |
|
Constellation Geminia |
| Sky Conditions |
|
Moon near full will reduce numbers |
| Best Time |
|
Evening to dawn, particularly around 2 a.m. |
| Notes |
|
Rivals August's Perseids as the most prolific shower of the year. |
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|
|
|
| Quadrantids |
| Dates |
|
Dec. 27 - Jan. 10 |
| Peak Viewing |
|
Jan. 3 - 4 |
| Numbers per Hour |
|
120 - 200 |
| Radiant Point* |
|
Near Big Dipper, northern sky |
| Sky Conditions |
|
Moon will be 58 percent illuminated |
| Best Time |
|
Between midnight and dawn on Jan. 4 |
| Notes |
|
Few meteors per hour except during short peak. Best viewing occurs farther north. |
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|
|
|
| Lyrids |
| Dates |
|
April 16 - 28 |
| Peak Viewing |
|
April 21 - 22 |
| Numbers per Hour |
|
10-15 |
| Radiant Point* |
|
Near star Vega in constellation Lyra |
| Sky Conditions |
|
Moon will not be a factor |
| Best Time |
|
Hours before dawn |
| Notes |
|
The Lyrids sometimes can produce big numbers |
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|
|
|
| Eta Aquariids |
| Dates |
|
April 19 - May 28 |
| Peak Viewing |
|
May 6 - 7 |
| Numbers per Hour |
|
20-40 |
| Radiant Point* |
|
Star Eta in Aquarius, Southeast sky |
| Sky Conditions |
|
Moon will be full |
| Best Time |
|
Hours before dawn |
| Notes |
|
Best seen from southern locations. |
| |
|
|
|
| Delta Aquariids |
| Dates |
|
July 12 - August 23 |
| Peak Viewing |
|
July 29 - 30 |
| Numbers per Hour |
|
15-20 |
| Radiant Point* |
|
Star Delta in Aquarius Southeast Sky |
| Sky Conditions |
|
Moon will be 77% full |
| Best Time |
|
An hour or two before dawn |
| Notes |
|
This shower lacks a true peak |
| |
|
|
|
| Perseids |
| Dates |
|
July 17 - August 26 |
| Peak Viewing |
|
August 11 - 12 |
| Numbers per Hour |
|
100 |
| Radiant Point* |
|
Constellation Perseus |
| Sky Conditions |
|
Moon at 47% illuminated on peak dates, will reduce numbers |
| Best Time |
|
Numbers build toward midnight, morning |
| Notes |
|
Usually the best shower of the year. Best viewing will be near dawn. |
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