The Leonids: A November Spectacle

While the Leonids may not produce the highest number of meteors compared to other annual showers, they are renowned for their strikingly bright and rapid fireball meteors. This meteor shower typically peaks around November 18, coinciding with a crescent moon that will be only 6 percent illuminated.

In the eastern United States, the moon will rise at approximately 5 AM. Hence, stargazers will have excellent conditions for viewing the shower before the moon rises.

The Leonids radiate from the constellation Leo, which emerges around midnight and reaches its pinnacle high in the sky as dawn approaches.

The Geminids: December’s Grand Finale

The Geminids meteor shower, occurring between December 4 and December 17, is recognized as the most impressive of the year. It peaks overnight from December 13 to December 14, offering skywatchers the chance to witness up to 120 to 150 meteors per hour.

Characterized by their bright and colorful displays, Geminids meteors often exhibit yellow hues alongside variations of green, blue, white, red, and orange. Uniquely, this meteor shower originates from an asteroid rather than debris from a comet, which is common among other meteor showers.

On the night of the peak, the Geminids’ radiant point is in the constellation Gemini, visible throughout the night and reaching its highest point around 2 AM local time. The moon on this night will be around 32 percent illuminated, rising at approximately 1:30 AM, making for ideal viewing shortly after midnight.

The Ursids: A December Inclusion

The Ursids meteor shower, spanning from December 17 to December 26, peaks in the early morning hours of December 22. While not as prolific as some other showers, with an average of about 10 meteors per hour, this meteor shower benefits from excellent visibility conditions.

On the night of the peak, the moon will set around 6 PM in the eastern United States on December 21, ensuring that moonlight will have no impact on the viewing experience. Traditionally, the Ursids are most visible just before dawn, when its radiant, located in the constellation Ursa Minor (also known as the Little Dipper), is prominently displayed in the night sky.

Upcoming Meteor Showers to Watch

The Quadrantids: January Events

The Quadrantids meteor shower occurs in both December and January and experiences its peak during the initial week of the new year. This shower features a distinct peak activity, often producing many bright fireball meteors, with a rate of up to 120 meteors per hour during its most active phase.

The shower’s radiant point is located in the now-defunct constellation Quadrans Muralis, which has been supplanted by the constellation Boötes, adjacent to the Big Dipper.