American Meteor Society
A meteor shower is a celestial event in which a number of meteors are observed to radiate, or originate, from one point in the night sky called Radiant. These meteors are caused by streams of cosmic debris called meteoroids entering Earth's atmosphere at extremely high speeds on parallel trajectories. The Meteor Data Center of the IAU lists over 900 suspected meteor showers of which about 100 are well established.
The meteor showers listed below are the easiest to observe and provide the most activity. Particular attention should be noted to the time and moonlight conditions. All these showers are best seen after midnight. Some are not even visible until after midnight. Showers that peak with the moon’s phase greater than one half illuminated (first quarter to last quarter) will be affected by moonlight and difficult to observe.
While the time each shower is best seen remains much the same year after year, the moonlight conditions change considerably from one year to the next. As we approach the date of each shower's maximum, be sure to consult the latest AMS article about Meteor Showers, which will provide in depth information on each shower and how to best view it.
When is the next meteor shower?
Well, you need to know that there are currently 4 active meteors showers:
Here is the list of the next major meteor showers that will occur after that:
Next Peak nightOct 20-21, 2024
Orionids
Currently activeActive from September 26th to November 22nd, 2024
The Orionids are a medium strength shower that sometimes reaches high strength activity. In a normal year the Orionids produce 10-20 shower members at maximum. In exceptional years, such as 2006-2009, the peak rates were on par with the Perseids (50-75 per hour). Recent displays have produced low to average displays of this shower. In 2024, a waning gibbous moon will rise during the late evening hours and will severely hamper views of this display.
Shower details - Radiant: 06:21 +15.6° - ZHR: 20 - Velocity: 41 miles/sec (swift - 66km/sec) - Parent Object: 1P/Halley
Next Peak - The Orionids will next peak on the Oct 20-21, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 83% full.
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Next Peak nightNov 4-5, 2024
Southern Taurids
Currently activeActive from September 23rd to December 8th, 2024
The Southern Taurids are a long-lasting shower that several peaks during its activity period. The shower is active for more than two months but rarely produces more than five shower members per hour, even at maximum activity. The Taurids (both branches) are rich in fireballs and are often responsible for increased number of fireball reports from September through November.
Shower details - Radiant: 03:35 +14.4° - ZHR: 5 - Velocity: 17.2 miles/sec (slow - 27.7km/sec) - Parent Object: 2P/Encke
Next Peak - The Southern Taurids will next peak on the Nov 4-5, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 11% full.
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Next Peak nightNov 11-12, 2024
Northern Taurids
Currently activeActive from October 13th to December 2nd, 2024
This shower is much like the Southern Taurids, just active a bit later in the year. When the two showers are active simultaneously in late October and early November, there is sometimes a notable increase in the fireball activity.
Shower details - Radiant: 03:55 +22.8° - ZHR: 5 - Velocity: 18 miles/sec (slow - 30km/sec) - Parent Object: 2P/Encke
Next Peak - The Northern Taurids will next peak on the Nov 11-12, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 79% full.
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Next Peak nightNov 16-17, 2024
Leonids
Currently activeActive from November 3rd to December 2nd, 2024
The Leonids are best known for producing meteor storms in the years of 1833, 1866, 1966, 1999, 2001 and 2002. These outbursts of meteor activity are best seen when the parent object, comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, is near perihelion (closest approach to the sun). Yet it is not the fresh material we see from the comet, but rather debris from earlier returns that also happen to be most dense at the same time. Unfortunately, it appears that the earth will not encounter any dense clouds of debris until 2099. Therefore, when the comet returns in 2031 and 2064, there may not be any meteor storms, but perhaps several good displays of Leonid activity when rates are in excess of 100 per hour. Each passing year also presents new possibilities from old debris fields. In 2024, the waning gibbous moon will rise during the late evening hours and will spoil the best viewing hours for this shower.
Shower details - Radiant: 10:16 +21.8° - ZHR: 15 - Velocity: 43.5 miles/sec (swift - 69.7km/sec) - Parent Object: 55P/Tempel-Tuttle
Next Peak - The Leonids will next peak on the Nov 16-17, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 98% full.
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Next Peak nightDec 12-13, 2024
Geminids
Next period of activity: December 2nd, 2024 to December 21st, 2024The Geminids are usually the strongest meteor shower of the year and meteor enthusiasts are certain to circle December 13 and 14 on their calendars. This is the one major shower that provides good activity prior to midnight as the constellation of Gemini is well placed from 22:00 onward. The Geminids are often bright and intensely colored. Due to their medium-slow velocity, persistent trains are not usually seen. These meteors are also seen in the southern hemisphere, but only during the middle of the night and at a reduced rate. In 2024, a nearly full moon will greatly reduce the number of meteors seen. If your skies are clear and transparent, you can still see many bright meteors by facing a direction with the moon at your back.
Shower details - Radiant: 07:33 +32.4° - ZHR: 150 - Velocity: 21 miles/sec (medium - 33.8km/sec) - Parent Object: 3200 Phaethon (asteroid)
Next Peak - The Geminids will next peak on the Dec 12-13, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 92% full.
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Next Peak nightDec 21-22, 2024
Ursids
Next period of activity: December 16th, 2024 to December 26th, 2024The Ursids are often neglected due to the fact it peaks just before Christmas and the rates are much less than the Geminds, which peaks just a week before the Ursids. Observers will normally see 5-10 Ursids per hour during the late morning hours on the date of maximum activity. There have been occasional outbursts when rates have exceeded 25 per hour. These outbursts appear unrelated to the perihelion dates of comet 8P/Tuttle. This shower is strictly a northern hemisphere event as the radiant fails to clear the horizon or does so simultaneously with the start of morning twilight as seen from the southern tropics.In 2024, a half-illuminated moon will be present in the morning sky and will obscure the fainter meteors.
Shower details - Radiant: 14:38 +75.4° - ZHR: 10 - Velocity: 20.5 miles/sec (medium - 33.1km/sec) - Parent Object: 8P/Tuttle
Next Peak - The Ursids will next peak on the Dec 21-22, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 59% full.
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Next Peak nightJan 2-3, 2025
Quadrantids
Next period of activity: December 26th, 2024 to January 16th, 2025The Quadrantids have the potential to be the strongest shower of the year but usually fall short due to the short length of maximum activity (6 hours) and the poor weather experienced during early January. The average hourly rates one can expect under dark skies is 25. These meteors usually lack persistent trains but often produce bright fireballs. Due to the high northerly declination (celestial latitude) these meteors are not well seen from the southern hemisphere. Predictions for 2025 show a peak near 17:45 UT on January 3rd. This timing favors the Pacific area. Rates could be quite high if observed under clear, transparent skies. The waxing crescent moon will set before the radiant achieves a favorable altitude.
Shower details - Radiant: 15:20 +49.7° - ZHR: 120 - Velocity: 25 miles/sec (medium - 40.4km/sec) - Parent Object: 2003 EH (Asteroid)
Next Peak - The Quadrantids will next peak on the Jan 2-3, 2025 night. On this night, the moon will be 11% full.
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Next Peak nightApr 21-22, 2025
Lyrids
Next period of activity: April 15th, 2025 to April 30th, 2025The Lyrids are a medium strength shower that usually produces good rates for three nights centered on the maximum. These meteors also usually lack persistent trains but can produce fireballs. These meteors are best seen from the northern hemisphere where the radiant is high in the sky at dawn. Activity from this shower can be seen from the southern hemisphere, but at a lower rate. Maximum is predicted to occur near 13UT on April 22nd. The waning crescent moon will slightly interfere with viewing these meteors in 2025.
Shower details - Radiant: 18:08 +33.3° - ZHR: 18 - Velocity: 29 miles/sec (medium - 46.6km/sec) - Parent Object: C/1861 G1 (Thatcher)
Next Peak - The Lyrids will next peak on the Apr 21-22, 2025 night. On this night, the moon will be 40% full.
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Next Peak nightMay 3-4, 2025
eta Aquariids
Next period of activity: April 20th, 2025 to May 21st, 2025The Eta Aquariids are a strong shower when viewed from the southern tropics. From the equator northward, they usually only produce medium rates of 10-30 per hour just before dawn. Activity is good for a week centered the night of maximum activity. These are swift meteors that produce a high percentage of persistent trains, but few fireballs. In 2025, a first quarter moon will set long before the radiant rises so circumstances are excellent for viewing this shower. No abnormal activity is expected in 2025.
Shower details - Radiant: 22:28 -1° - ZHR: 50 - Velocity: 40.7 miles/sec (swift - 65.4km/sec) - Parent Object: 1P/Halley
Next Peak - The eta Aquariids will next peak on the May 3-4, 2025 night. On this night, the moon will be 44% full.
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Next Peak nightJul 29-30, 2025
Southern delta Aquariids
Next period of activity: July 18th, 2025 to August 12th, 2025The Delta Aquariids are another strong shower best seen from the southern tropics. North of the equator the radiant is located lower in the southern sky and therefore rates are less than seen from further south. These meteors produce good rates for a week centered on the night of maximum. These are usually faint meteors that lack both persistent trains and fireballs. In 2025, a waxing crescent moon will set before the radiant is high in the sky. Therefore circumstances are favorable for viewing this shower during the morning hours..
Shower details - Radiant: 22:40 -16.4° - ZHR: 25 - Velocity: 25 miles/sec (medium - 40km/sec) - Parent Object: 96P/Machholz?
Next Peak - The Southern delta Aquariids will next peak on the Jul 29-30, 2025 night. On this night, the moon will be 27% full.
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Next Peak nightJul 29-30, 2025
alpha Capricornids
Next period of activity: July 12th, 2025 to August 12th, 2025The Alpha Capricornids are active from July 12 through August 12 with a "plateau-like" maximum centered on July 30th. This shower is not very strong and rarely produces in excess of 5 shower members per hour. What is notable about this shower is the number of bright fireballs produced during its activity period. This shower is seen equally well on either side of the equator.
Shower details - Radiant: 20:22 -9.3° - ZHR: 5 - Velocity: 14 miles/sec (slow - 22km/sec) - Parent Object: 169P/NEAT
Next Peak - The alpha Capricornids will next peak on the Jul 29-30, 2025 night. On this night, the moon will be 27% full.
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Next Peak nightAug 12-13, 2025
Perseids
Next period of activity: July 17th, 2025 to August 23rd, 2025The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower as they peak on warm August nights as seen from the northern hemisphere. The Perseids are active from July 14 to September 1. They reach a strong maximum on August 12 or 13, depending on the year. Normal rates seen from rural locations range from 50-75 shower members per hour at maximum. The Perseids are particles released from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle during its numerous returns to the inner solar system. They are called Perseids since the radiant (the area of the sky where the meteors seem to originate) is located near the prominent constellation of Perseus the hero when at maximum activity. In 2025, the waning gibbous moon will severely compromise this shower at the time of maximum activity. Such conditions will reduce activity by at least 75 percent as only the brighter meteors will be visible.
Shower details - Radiant: 03:17 +58.1° - ZHR: 100 - Velocity: 37 miles/sec (swift - 59km/sec) - Parent Object: 109P/Swift-Tuttle
Next Peak - The Perseids will next peak on the Aug 12-13, 2025 night. On this night, the moon will be 84% full.
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