Meteor showers are a result of 'Comet
Dust' left in space from comets that have passed through Earth's orbit.
As the Earth passes through this trail of comet dust, debris left behind
from the comet will burn up as it passes through our atmosphere.
On the average, meteor showers
are best viewed after midnight. It's like driving in a car in the rain
- before midnight, the rain is hitting the back window, but after midnight,
the rain is hitting the front window. Same concept with the Earth. Some
meteor showers, like the Perseids, will display comets within a few hours
after sunset. Check your local newspapers or observatories in your areas
for more accurate times and dates, but get out and see 'em!
| **Peak of Shower | Name of Shower |
*Radiant Direction/ |
Max. Meteors |
| January 3 | Quadrantids | North/Bootes | 20 - 80 |
| April 21 - 22 | April Lyrids | South/Lyra | 5 - 15 |
| May 4 - 5 | Eta Aquarids | S.E./Aquarids | 10 - 40 |
| June 15 | June Lyrids | South/Lyra | 8 - 12 |
| June 20 | Ophiuchids | South/Ophiuchus | 8 - 20 |
| July 10 | Capricornids | S.W./Capricornus | 5 - 30 |
| July 28 | Delta Aquarids | South/Aquarius | 10 - 35 |
| August 12 | Perseids | North/Perseus | 40 - 100 |
| October 7 | Draconids | N.W./Draco | 7 - 10 |
| October 21 | Orionids | South/Orion | 10 - 70 |
| November 3 - 4 | Taurids | South/Taurus | 5 - 12 |
| November 17 - 18 | Leonids | South/Leo | 10 - 100 |
| December 13 | Geminid | South/Gemini | 50 - 80 |
| December 22 | Ursid | North/Dippers | 10 - 15 |
