The Geminids, one of the most spectacular meteor showers, reaches its annual maximum around December 13.

Unfortunately the maximum coincides with a full phase of the moon this year, severely hampering optical observations because of the poor darkness of the sky. Observers are nevertheless encouraged to submit their data for analysis. Meteor rates obtained under full moon conditions still teach us more about the activity of this shower than having no data at all.

An automated ZHR graph is made available for this shower.

The Leonids have a 'traditional' node time in 2008 on November 17 around 09h UT, though the bright waning Moon close to the constellation of Leo will be a severe problem for observers on any location. In addition to the the traditional maximum, Jérémie Vaubaillon predicts two potential stream encounters, centred on November 17 at 01h32m UT (1466 trail; ZHR ~25-100?) and November 18 at 21h38m UT (1932 trail; ZHR ~20?). Mikhail Maslov proposed that the shower may show a peak with ZHRs ~130 at 00h22m UT on November 17, with meteors brighter than average. Observations around these times, as well as any other moments, would be of great value to test and improve the prediction models. An automated ZHR graph is made available for this shower. Please refer to the short-term meteor activity outlook and the 2008 shower calendar for observing information.

The Taurids are part of the meteoroid stream complex associated with Comet 2P/Encke. Studies by David Asher have indicated that increased Taurid fireball rates may result from a “swarm” of larger particles within the Taurid complex, and he suggested such “swarm” return might possibly occur in 2008, albeit rather uncertain. The most recent swarm encounter, in 2005, produced a lot of very brilliant fireballs and enhanced ZHRs of ~10-15, that persisted from about October 29 to November 10. Observations of the Taurids are highly encouraged and results of visual work are made available in automated ZHR-graphs.

Please submit your observations using the electronic form, which will get processed directly into a live ZHR profile.

The Orionids produce fast moving meteors linked to the comet 1 P/Halley. It is a middle-sized shower visible between early October and the first week of November. They usually peak around solar length 208° or October 21st with rates up to ZHR ~25. In 2006 and 2007 however, the maximum went up to more than twice this value, with lots of bright meteors. Theoretical simulations show that this enhanced activity is likely to repeat this year. Unfortunately for observers, a waning gibbous moon at last quarter on October 21 significantly disturbs the observations. Nevertheless, given the exceptional activity of the stream, observations are still worthwhile and remain highly appreciated.

The brand new IMO Meteor Observation Handbook is now available from the online shop.

Thirteen years after the IMO's "Handbook for Visual Meteor Observers" (1995), a new "Handbook for Meteor Observers" has been published. As the title says, the 1995 handbook was devoted to visual meteor observations. The IMO's "Handbook for Photographic Meteor Observations" was sold out for many years as well, and there were requests for instructions to other observing techniques, too. Therefore the 2008 "Handbook for Meteor Observers" covers the visual, photographic, video, telescopic and radio observation of meteors. It also includes - as the 1995 handbook did - a description of the meteor showers currently included in the IMO's Working List, with a concentration to the recent observations and up-to-date activity information.

Thanks to the contribution of numerous authors, this broad spectrum of topics was collected and updated. Of course, meteor astronomy - observations as well as theoretical work - will produce new results and insights. Hence we plan to work on the texts on a continuous base with the aim to publish updated and revised new editions in less than 13 years. So anyone is invited to contribute to a future version by sending comments on the current texts and figures or to write texts/produce figures.

Please submit your observations using the electronic form, which will get processed directly into a live ZHR profile.

The Perseids, probably the best-known meteor shower, will have their maximum on August 12th 11h30m - 14h00m UT with expected ZHRs (hourly rates in theoretical perfect conditions) around 100, but activity already picks up in the second half of July.

The waxing gibbous Moon will be setting between local midnight and 01h30m on August 12/13 for the mid-northern latitudes best-placed to follow the shower (moonset is progressively earlier for places further north), leaving some dark skies to cover whatever happens. For these same locations, the Perseid radiant is viably observable from 22h - 23h local time onwards, gaining altitude throughout the night, so circumstances overall are quite favourable. The predicted maximum would be best-viewed from places in and around the northern Pacific Ocean, including the extreme west of North America west as far as extreme eastern Japan and China, assuming it happens as expected. The only negative aspect to the shower is the impossibility of covering it from the bulk of the southern hemisphere.