Meteor Showers
Meteor shower calendar
The year's major meteor showers, sorted by the next peak. Rates (ZHR) assume dark, clear skies with the radiant overhead.
12
Aug
Perseids
Active: July 17 – August 24
21
Oct
Orionids
Active: October 2 – November 7
17
Nov
Leonids
Active: November 6 – November 30
14
Dec
Geminids
Active: December 4 – December 20
22
Dec
Ursids
Active: December 17 – December 26
3
Jan
Quadrantids
Active: December 28 – January 12
22
Apr
Lyrids
Active: April 16 – April 25
6
May
Eta Aquariids
Active: April 19 – May 28
How to watch a meteor shower
Get away from city lights, let your eyes adapt for 20 minutes, and lie back so you can take in as much sky as possible. You don't need a telescope — meteors appear all over the sky. The best hours are usually after midnight, when your side of the Earth turns into the debris stream.
The single biggest factor after darkness is the Moon: a bright moon near the peak drowns out all but the brightest meteors. Check the moon phase for the peak night and, if it's bright, watch before moonrise or after moonset.