Meteor Showers
Like stargazing, watching for meteors is best on nights when the moon is not full. Also, like working with constellations, it is not necessary to see the meteor showers to work with their energy; however, it is important to know when they will occur. The following list provides the general range of dates for major meteor shower activity. The exact dates and the particular nights that these showers reach their peaks can vary from year to year. One of the best websites for details on meteor showers is the American Meteor Society (www.amsmeteors.org). Also, there are meteor shower calendar apps for smartphones.
Best Seen in the Northern Hemisphere:
January 1–10, Quadrantids
April 16–25, Lyrids
July 11–August 10, Alpha Capricornids*
July 13–August 26, Perseids
October 6–10, Draconids
October 4–November 14, Orionids
October 19–December 10, Northern Taurids
November 5–30, Leonids
December 4–16, Geminids
* Seen equally well in both hemispheres.
Best Seen in the Southern Hemisphere:
January 28–February 21, Alpha Centaurids
February 25–March 22, Gamma Normids
April 19–May 26, Eta Aquariids
July 21–August 23, Delta Aquariids
September 7–November 19, Southern Taurids
November 28–December 9, Phoenicids
December 17–23, Ursids