Meteor Shower Profiles
Detailed profiles of major meteor showers throughout the year
Showing 17 meteor showers
Quadrantids
Boötes •
Intense but brief shower with blue meteors and fine trains
January 4
Visibility
Best visible in Northern Hemisphere; short peak around early January
Best Viewing Time
After midnight, narrow peak window
Lyrids
Lyra •
Ancient shower with fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs
April 22
Visibility
Visible worldwide; best after midnight in April
Best Viewing Time
After midnight until dawn
Eta Aquariids
Aquarius •
Fast meteors from Halley's Comet, best visible from southern hemisphere
May 6
Visibility
Best from Southern Hemisphere; visible pre-dawn in May
Best Viewing Time
Pre-dawn hours, better from southern latitudes
Perseids
Perseus •
One of the most reliable and spectacular meteor showers, known for bright meteors and high rates
August 12
Visibility
Excellent across Northern Hemisphere; best after midnight in August
Best Viewing Time
After midnight until dawn
Orionids
Orion •
Another shower from Halley's Comet with fast, bright meteors
October 21
Visibility
Worldwide; best after midnight in October
Best Viewing Time
After midnight until dawn
Leonids
Leo •
Famous for producing meteor storms every 33 years, with very fast meteors
November 17
Visibility
Visible worldwide; best in mid-November after midnight
Best Viewing Time
After midnight until dawn
Geminids
Gemini •
The year's most prolific meteor shower with colorful, medium-speed meteors
December 14
Visibility
Excellent worldwide; best around December 14
Best Viewing Time
All night long, peak around 2 AM
Taurids
Taurus •
Complex shower system known for producing spectacular fireballs
November 5
Visibility
Visible in both hemispheres; long activity period in Oct–Nov
Best Viewing Time
After midnight until dawn
Draconids
Draco •
Unusual shower best viewed in early evening, occasionally produces outbursts
October 8
Visibility
Northern Hemisphere; best seen in early evening around October 8
Best Viewing Time
Early evening after sunset
Southern Delta Aquariids
Aquarius •
Summer shower with faint, fast meteors, better from southern hemisphere
July 30
Visibility
Best visible in Southern Hemisphere
Best Viewing Time
Pre-dawn hours, better from southern latitudes
Ursids
Ursa Minor •
Minor shower near winter solstice with slow meteors
December 22
Visibility
Northern Hemisphere; best around December 22
Best Viewing Time
All night, peak after midnight
Alpha Capricornids
Capricornus •
Minor shower known for producing bright fireballs
July 30
Visibility
Visible in both hemispheres
Best Viewing Time
After midnight until dawn
Piscids
Pisces •
Minor shower with low activity rates
September 20
Visibility
Visible in both hemispheres
Best Viewing Time
After midnight until dawn
Monocerotids
Monoceros •
Variable shower that can produce occasional outbursts
November 21
Visibility
Visible in both hemispheres
Best Viewing Time
After midnight until dawn
Virginids
Virgo •
Spring shower with moderate activity
March 25
Visibility
Visible in both hemispheres
Best Viewing Time
After midnight until dawn
Kappa Cygnids
Cygnus •
Minor summer shower with slow meteors
August 17
Visibility
Best visible in Northern Hemisphere
Best Viewing Time
After midnight until dawn
June Boötids
Boötes •
Variable shower that can produce occasional outbursts
June 27
Visibility
Best visible in Northern Hemisphere
Best Viewing Time
After midnight until dawn