Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual observer, a good meteor shower is always fun to watch

These occur at the same time every year, but you don’t need expensive equipment to get the most out of them. In fact, you’re better without a telescope. By using just your eyes, you can take in a wider field of view and see more meteors.

Why do meteor showers occur on specific days?

As the Earth orbits the Sun, each year we pass through the same stream of debris left behind by comets and sometimes asteroids. In the case of periodic comets such as the large comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which is the parent object of the summer Perseid meteor shower, the stream is replenished each time it passes.

Summarized meteor showers in 2024

In this article, we have summarized all the meteor showers in 2024, their maximum period, and the number of meteors that can be observed.

Learn about constellations

While you wait for that all-important peak night, why not brush up on your constellations with our handy astronomer’s guide for beginners? Having a broad understanding of constellations will help you identify and observe the radiance of each meteor shower. It will help you get the most out of your experience.

Full moon calendar

If you prefer the moon, check out our full moon calendar. All dates, names, and times are compiled into one comprehensive list. It also includes some trivia about the moon.

What is a meteor shower?

A meteor shower is a cascade of meteors, also called shooting stars, that flash across the sky and leave a trail of light in their wake. They occur on certain days every year and can be a spectacular sight if conditions are right.

When is the next meteor shower?

After the quadrant meteor shower in January, Britain’s next major meteor shower will be the Lyrids, followed quickly by Eta Aquarius in April. The peaks of these showers are expected on April 22-23 and May 6, respectively, so mark your calendars.

Meteor Showers in 2024

See below the dates of all 2024 meteor showers, along with peak times and number of meteors seen per hour.

• quadrant meteor shower

  Active: December 28, 2023 – January 12, 2024
  peak: January 3-4, 2024
  Price/hour: 110
  radiation: Boes
  Parent body: Probably 2003 EH1, but not confirmed yet
  Peak moon illumination: 59-49%

• Urinidae

  Active: December 17th to 26th
  peak: December 22nd-23rd
  Price/hour: Ten
  radiation: Ursa Minor
  Parent body: Comet 8P/Tuttle
  Peak moon illumination: 61-51%

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com