Meteor Shower Calendar

The meteor shower calendar is compiled by Jürgen Rendtel since 2016, this way continuing the 25 year series started by Alastair McBeath.
Information in the meteor shower calendar is based on the IMO Meteor Shower Workbook, edited by Jürgen Rendtel (IMO, 2014), and Molau S. and Rendtel J., 2009: A comprehensive list of meteor showers obtained from 10 years of observations with the IMO Video Meteor Network, WGN, vol. 37, pp. 98-121, as well as additional material extracted from data analyses produced since and results of meteoroid stream modelling provided by researchers listed in each calendar.

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The heart of the Calendar is the Working List of Visual Meteor Showers, thanks to regular updating from analyses using the IMO's Visual Meteor Database, the single most accurate listing available anywhere today for naked-eye meteor observing. Even this can never be a complete list of all meteor showers, since there are many showers which cannot be properly detected visually, and some which only photographic, radar, telescopic, or video observations can separate from the background sporadic meteors, present throughout the year.

The IMO's aims are to encourage, collect, analyze, and publish combined meteor data obtained from sites all over the globe in order to further our understanding of the meteor activity detectable from the Earth's surface. Results from only a few localized places can never provide such total comprehension, and it is thanks to the efforts of the many it IMO observers worldwide since 1988 that we have been able to achieve as much as we have to date. This is not a matter for complacency, however, since it is solely by the continued support of many people across the whole world that our steps towards constructing a better and more complete picture of the near-Earth meteoroid flux can proceed. This means that all meteor workers, wherever they are and whatever methods they use to record meteors, should follow the standard IMO observing guidelines when compiling their information, and submit their data promptly to the appropriate Commission for analysis.

Visual and photographic techniques remain popular for nightly meteor coverage (weather permitting), although both suffer considerably from the presence of moonlight. Telescopic observations are much less popular, but they allow the fine detail of shower radiant structures to be derived, and they permit very low activity showers to be accurately detected. Video methods continue to be dynamically applied as in the last few years, and are starting to bear considerable fruit. These have the advantages, and disadvantages, of both photographic and telescopic observing, plus some of their own, but are increasing in importance. Radio receivers can be utilized at all times, regardless of clouds, moonlight, or daylight, and provide the only way in which 24-hour meteor observing can be accomplished for most latitudes. Together, these methods cover virtually the entire range of meteoroid sizes, from the very largest fireball-producing events (using all-sky photographic and video patrols or visual observations) through to tiny dust grains producing extremely faint telescopic or radio meteors.

However and whenever you are able to observe, we wish you all a most successful year's work and very much look forward to receiving your data.

Clear skies!

There are currently 2 active major showers: the Lyrids and the eta Aquariids.

Next Peak night
Jan 3-4, 2025

Quadrantids (QUA)

Active from December 26th to January 16th, 2025

The 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 2024 show a peak for observers viewing from North America between the local hours of 1-5am. Rates could be quite high if observed under clear, transparent skies. The half-illuminated moon will interfere somewhat, but this can be minimized by blocking the moon with a tree or building and viewing toward the northern half of the sky.

Shower details - Radiant: 15:20 +49.7° - ZHR: 120 - Velocity: 25 miles/sec (medium - 40.2km/sec) - Parent Object: 2003 EH (Asteroid)

Next Peak - The Quadrantids will next peak on the Jan 3-4, 2025 night. On this night, the moon will be 19% full.

Next Peak night
Apr 21-22, 2024

Lyrids (LYR)

Active from April 15th to April 29th, 2024 Currently active

The 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. Moonlight will interfere greatly in 2024.

Shower details - Radiant: 18:10 +33.3° - ZHR: 18 - Velocity: 29 miles/sec (medium - 46.8km/sec) - Parent Object: C/1861 G1 (Thatcher)

Next Peak - The Lyrids will next peak on the Apr 21-22, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 96% full.

Next Peak night
May 4-5, 2024

eta Aquariids (ETA)

Active from April 15th to May 27th, 2024 Currently active

The 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. There are predictions that this shower will be quite strong in 2024 due to interactions of the particles with the planet Jupiter. Luckily, there will be little interference from the waning crescent moon in 2024.

Shower details - Radiant: 22:30 -1° - ZHR: 50 - Velocity: 40.7 miles/sec (swift - 65.5km/sec) - Parent Object: 1P/Halley

Next Peak - The eta Aquariids will next peak on the May 4-5, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 14% full.

Next Peak night
Jul 29-30, 2024

Southern delta Aquariids (SDA)

Active from July 18th to August 21st, 2024

The 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 2024, moonlight will be a minor factor from the waning crescent moon which rises in the early morning hours. If the moon is above your horizon when viewing this shower, simply view more toward the southwestern sky.

Shower details - Radiant: 22:42 -16.3° - 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, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 30% full.

Next Peak night
Jul 30-31, 2024

alpha Capricornids (CAP)

Active from July 7th to August 15th, 2024

The Alpha Capricornids are active from July 7 through August 15 with a "plateau-like" maximum centered on July 31st. This shower is not very strong and rarely produces in excess of five 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: 20:26 -9.12° - ZHR: 5 - Velocity: 14 miles/sec (slow - 22km/sec) - Parent Object: 169P/NEAT

Next Peak - The alpha Capricornids will next peak on the Jul 30-31, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 20% full.

Next Peak night
Aug 11-12, 2024

Perseids (PER)

Active from July 14th to September 1st, 2024

The 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 2024, the half illuminated moon will set near 1am local daylight saving time. This is a favorable coincidence as this is the time that strong activity begins to occur from this shower.

Shower details - Radiant: 03:13 +58° - ZHR: 100 - Velocity: 37 miles/sec (swift - 59km/sec) - Parent Object: 109P/Swift-Tuttle

Next Peak - The Perseids will next peak on the Aug 11-12, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 44% full.

Next Peak night
Oct 20-21, 2024

Orionids (ORI)

Active 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.

Next Peak night
Nov 4-5, 2024

Southern Taurids (STA)

Active 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.

Next Peak night
Nov 11-12, 2024

Northern Taurids (NTA)

Active 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.

Next Peak night
Nov 17-18, 2024

Leonids (LEO)

Active from November 3rd to December 2nd, 2024

The Leonids are best known for producing meteor storms in the years of 1833, 1866, 1966, 1999, and 2001. 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: 10:17 +21.6° - ZHR: 15 - Velocity: 43.5 miles/sec (swift - 70km/sec) - Parent Object: 55P/Tempel-Tuttle

Next Peak - The Leonids will next peak on the Nov 17-18, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 94% full.

Next Peak night
Dec 13-14, 2024

Geminids (GEM)

Active from November 19th to December 24th, 2024

The 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 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: 07:24 +32.3° - ZHR: 150 - Velocity: 21 miles/sec (medium - 34km/sec) - Parent Object: 3200 Phaethon (asteroid)

Next Peak - The Geminids will next peak on the Dec 13-14, 2024 night. On this night, the moon will be 97% full.

Next Peak night
Dec 21-22, 2024

Ursids (URS)

Active from December 13th to December 24th, 2024

The 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: 14:36 +75.3° - ZHR: 10 - Velocity: 20.5 miles/sec (medium - 33km/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.