Shooting stars are caused by debris left by passing comets. Each meteor shower is named after the constellation that it appears to come from, although individual meteors may appear in any part of the sky. The best viewing is usually after midnight because that is when we are pointing directly into the stream of oncoming debris. As always you will see more if you can get away from bright light sources.
Quadrantids Meteor Shower (Jan 3 – 4)
The Quadrantids is an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. It is thought to be produced by dust grains left behind by an extinct comet known as 2003 EH1. The shower runs annually from January 1-5. Meteors radiate from the constellation Bootes.
Lyrids Meteor Shower (Apr 22 – 23)
The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is made up of dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. The shower runs annually from April 16-25. These meteors can sometimes produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. Meteors radiate from the constellation Lyra.
Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower (May 6 – 7)
The Eta Aquarids is an above average shower, capable of producing up to 30 meteors per hour at its peak in the Northern Hemisphere. It is made up of dust particles left behind by Halley’s comet. The shower runs annually from April 19 to May 28. Meteors radiate from the constellation Aquarius.
Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower (Jul 28 – 29)
The Delta Aquarids is an average shower that can produce up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is made up of debris left behind by comets Marsden and Kracht. The shower runs annually from July 12 to August 23. Meteors radiate from the constellation Aquarius.
Perseids Meteor Shower (Aug 11 – 12)
The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, yielding up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle. The Perseids are well known for creating a large number of bright meteors. The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24. Meteors radiate from the constellation Perseus.
Draconids Meteor Shower (Oct 7)
The Draconids is a minor meteor shower producing about 10 meteors per hour. It is made up of dust grains left behind by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner. The Draconids is an unusual shower because the best viewing is in the early evening instead of early morning like most other showers. The shower runs annually from October 6-10. Meteors radiate from the constellation Draco.
Orionids Meteor Shower (Oct 21 – 22)
The Orionids is an average shower of up to 20 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by Halley’s comet. The shower runs annually from October 2 to November 7. Meteors radiate from the constellation Orion.
Taurids Meteor Shower (Nov 4 – 5)
The Taurids is a long-running minor meteor shower producing about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is unusual in that it consists of two separate streams. The first is made up of dust grains left behind by Asteroid 2004 TG10. The second stream is produced by debris left behind by Comet 2P Encke. The shower runs annually from September 7 to December 10. Meteors radiate from the constellation Taurus.
Leonids Meteor Shower (Nov 17 – 18)
The Leonids is an average shower, producing up to 15 meteors per hour at its peak. This shower is unique in that it has a peak about every 33 years when hundreds of meteors can be seen per hour. That last of these occurred in 2001. The Leonids are made up of dust grains left behind by comet Tempel-Tuttle. The shower runs annually from November 6-30. Meteors radiate from the constellation Leo.
Geminids Meteor Shower (Dec 13 – 14)
The Geminids is the king of the meteor showers. It is considered by many to be the best shower in the heavens, giving up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon. The shower runs annually from December 7-17. Meteors radiate from the constellation Gemini.
Ursids Meteor Shower (Dec 21 -22)
The Ursids is a minor meteor shower producing about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is made up of dust grains left behind by comet Tuttle. The shower runs annually from December 17-25. Meteors radiate from the constellation Ursa Minor.