(The shower listing below, compiled in 1995, includes: shower name with three-letter code; activity period; date of maximum; position of radiant at maximum; diameter of radiant; daily radiant drift; velocity in km/s; population index; zhr and notes. Unless otherwise noted, information concerning shower characteristics and parameters has been taken from International Meteor Organization (IMO) sources. I express my appreciation to the IMO for permission to use this information.
*(NOTE: THESE ARE THE SHOWERS BEST SUITED FOR BEGINNING VISUAL OBSERVATIONS!)*
For additional information, contact Mark Davis
Quadrantids (QUA) Active: Jan 01-Jan 05 Max: Jan 03 Radiant: 230 +49 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.8 -0.2 Velocity: 41 km/s Population Index: 2.1 ZHR = 120 NOTES: The Quadrantids have the shortest duration of all the major showers. The short but intense maximum can produce rates in excess of 100 meteors per hour. The shower's radiant lies in Bootes, so is circumpolar for many northern locations, but it only attains a useful elevation after local midnight and is highest near morning. Therefore, the shower must peak near 5 am local time in order to see it at its best. Observing only 6 hours on either side of maximum will produce rates no better than 20-30 meteors per hour. It appears that mass-sorting of particles across the stream of this shower makes fainter members reach maximum up to 14 hours earlier, so observers should be alert throughout the shower. The Quadrantids are easy to photograph at maximum, with bright yellow fireballs being visible. Fainter shower members tend to be blue or white. The population index varies with solar longitude. Delta Cancrids (DCA) Active: Jan 01-Jan 24 Max: Jan 17 Radiant: 130 +20 Diameter: 20/10 Drift: +0.9 -0.2 Velocity: 28 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR = 4 NOTES: Very little is known about this stream which can be seen from either hemisphere. It is likely that this shower is an early part of the Virginid activity. The radiant is above the horizon for almost the entire night, and meteors from this shower are best seen during the early to middle part of the night. This ecliptical shower has a complex radiant structure so plotting of all meteors is recommended. Alpha Centaurids (ACE) Active: Jan 28-Feb 21 Max: Feb 07 Radiant: 210 -59 Diameter: 4 Drift: +1.2 -0.3 Velocity: 56 km/s Population Index: 2.0 ZHR = 6 NOTES: For most of the active period for this Southern Hemisphere shower, ZHRs range between 1 and 3 meteors per hour, but at maximum rates generally rise to between 5 and 10. Every 5 to 6 years, the maximum activity seems to be enhanced and on two notable occasions in 1974 and 1980, rates exceeded 25 meteors per hour. This enhancement has always been short-lived, lasting no more than 2 to 3 hours. This shower produces fast meteors, many with trains, and are noted for their brightly colored fireballs. Delta Leonids (DLE) Active: Feb 15-Mar 10 Max: Feb 24 Radiant: 168 +16 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.9 -0.3 Velocity: 23 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: 2 NOTES: The Delta Leonids are thought to possibly be related to the minor planet 1987 SY and are of average brightness, slow in speed, with very few leaving a train. Gamma Normids (GNO) Active: Feb 25-Mar 22 Max: Mar 13 Radiant: 249 -51 Diameter: 5 Drift: +1.1 +0.1 Velocity: 56 km/s Population Index: 2.4 ZHR: 8 NOTES: This shower is very similar to the sporadics in appearance, and for most of their activity period, their ZHR is almost undetectable above the background rate. The peak itself is normally quite sharp, with ZHRs of 3+ noted for only a day or two to either side of the maximum. There are suggestions that the activity may vary somewhat at times, with occasional broader, or less obvious, maxima having been reported in the past. This shower is visible mainly from the Southern Hemisphere with the radiant best placed after local midnight. Shower members are swift with the brightest meteors often having a yellow color. The Gamma Normids are difficult to photograph due to their low numbers and relative faintness. Virginids (VIR) Active: Jan 25-Apr 15 Max: several Radiant: 195 -04 Diameter: 15/10 Drift: +0.5 -0.3 Velocity: 30 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: 5 NOTES: As there are a large number of low activity radiants close together, it is very difficult to distinguish what branches of the Virginids are active at any one time. With this is mind, the IMO has for the time being incorporated all Virginids seen into one shower. They are known for their fireball production, though their population index of 3.0 indicates there are many fainter members as well. Radiant position listed above is for March 24. Lyrids (LYR) Active: Apr 16-Apr 25 Max: Apr 22 Radiant: 271 +34 Diameter: 5 Drift: +1.1 0.0 Velocity: 49 km/s Population Index: 2.9 ZHR: 15 NOTES: This shower peaks on April 22, and produces 10 meteors per hour on average. Maximum rates are attained for only about an hour or two at best, and can be rather erratic at times. The Lyrids are associated with Comet Thatcher 1861 I and have produced several bursts of activity in the past. The most recent such event occurred in 1982 when rates nearly reached 100 meteors per hour. It is difficult to photograph the Lyrids due to their low numbers and only occasional fireballs. The Lyrids are visible from the Southern Hemisphere, but at a much reduced rate. Useful watches can be carried out after 2230 hours local time. Pi Puppids (PPU) Active: Apr 15-Apr 28 Max: Apr 23 Radiant: 110 -45 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.6 -0.2 Velocity: 18 km/s Population Index: 2.0 ZHR = variable NOTES: The Pi Puppids are a meteor shower that has only recently become visible. In these cases, the meteoroids are clustered close to their parent comet so we see activity only when their parent comet is near the Earth. The parent comet of the Pi Puppids, 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup, returns to perihelion every five years. Their radiant can only be effectively observed from the Southern Hemisphere in the evening hours and sets shortly after midnight. Eta Aquarids (ETA) Active: Apr 19-May 28 Max: May 05 Radiant: 338 -01 Diameter: 4 Drift: +0.9 +0.4 Velocity: 66 km/s Population Index: 2.7 ZHR: 60 NOTES: The Eta Aquarids are the outbound (post-perihelion) particles of Halley's comet. This shower is active from mid-April through the end of May with a broad maximum which can occur anytime from May 2 through May 10. This shower is not well observed from the Northern Hemisphere due to the low radiant altitude when dark skies occur. An observer may see nearly 40 meteors per hour at shower maximum from tropical latitudes, decreasing to invisibility as you approach 50 degrees north latitude. From the Southern Hemisphere the Eta Aquarids are by far the strongest annual shower, producing an average of 60 meteors per hour at maximum. This shower also produces the highest percentage of trained meteors among the major showers. Nearly one-half of all Eta Aquarids produce visible trains. There is a broad maximum with ZHRs above 30 for almost a week centered on the main maximum. Sagittarids (SAG) Active: Apr 15-Jul 15 Max: several Radiant: 247 -22 Diameter: 15/10 Drift: ? Velocity: 30 km/s Population Index: 2.5 ZHR: 5 NOTES: This is the radiation area of the Scorpid-Sagittarid complex. Due to the many radiants in this area, the IMO has combined several minor showers into the Sagittarids. Observers should monitor this shower instead of the minor radiants. The radiant position listed above is for May 19. Pegasids (JPE) Active: Jul 07-Jul 13 Max: Jul 10 Radiant: 340 +15 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.8 +0.2 Velocity: 70 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: 3 NOTES: This shower is easily missed by observers since this time of the year most northern observers are preparing for the Perseids. The short Pegasid activity period is characterized by the radiant being well above the horizon only in the morning hours. ZHRs are usually low. Meteors from this stream tend to be swift and faint. July Phoenicids (PHE) Active: Jul 10-Jul 16 Max: Jul 14 Radiant: 32 -48 Diameter: 7 Drift: ? Velocity: 47 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: variable 3-10, usually ~2 NOTES: Occasionally, this shower produces enhanced activity with a ZHR of around 10, but on average, expect ZHRs to be 4 or less. Activity is quite variable, observations show it as a richer radio meteor source. This shower is best observed from the Southern Hemisphere after midnight. Pisces Austrinids (PAU) Active: Jul 15-Aug 10 Max: Jul 28 Radiant: 341 -30 Diameter: 5 Drift: +1.0 +0.2 Velocity: 35 km/s Population Index: 3.2 ZHR: 5 NOTES: Only observers at a latitude lower than 45 degrees north should attempt observations of this shower. Observers north of this latitude will encounter a radiant that is too low to allow reliable observations. Expect to see only 1 or 2 meteors per hour, perhaps rising to 6 to 8 per hour at maximum. S. Delta Aquarids (SDA) Active: Jul 12-Aug 19 Max: Jul 28 Radiant: 339 -16 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.75 +0.21 Velocity: 41 km/s Population Index: 3.2 ZHR: 20 NOTES: This is another shower best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, where the radiant is high in the sky during their long winter nights. This is the strongest radiant of about 6 that are active in this region during July and August. In late July the combined count of these radiants approaches 30 meteors per hour under dark skies. Like many streams that lie close to the ecliptic, this one possesses a double radiant. The southern branch provides a majority of the activity and reaches maximum activity two weeks earlier than the northern branch. The average meteor from this shower is faint and therefore difficult to photograph. Alpha Capricornids (CAP) Active: Jul 03-Aug 15 Max: Jul 30 Radiant: 307 -10 Diameter: 8 Drift: +0.9 +0.3 Velocity: 23 km/s Population Index: 2.5 ZHR: 4 NOTES: This is a long-lasting shower active throughout July and August. A broad maximum occurs during the last week of July and the first week of August centered on July 30. This shower produces the slowest meteors of all major annual showers. Due to its southerly declination this shower is better placed for observers in the Southern Hemisphere. This shower is noted for its bright, highly colored fireballs that often fragment during flight. The combination of slow, bright meteors is ideal for photography but unfortunately rates are low. S. Iota Aquarids (SIA) Active: Jul 25-Aug 15 Max: Aug 04 Radiant: 334 -15 Diameter: 5 Drift: +1.07 +0.18 Velocity: 34 km/s Population Index: 2.9 ZHR: 2 NOTES: This shower is noted for its many faint meteors, making it ideal for telescopic work. It is very difficult to distinguish members of this shower from the Delta Aquarids which are also active. This requires careful plotting, angular velocity estimates and a center of the field of view close to the radiant. If you do not plot meteors, it is best not to try to distinguish the different Aquarid radiants, simply count all meteors as "Aquarids." Depending on the phase of the moon, either the Northern or Southern branch can be observed. N. Delta Aquarids (NDA) Active: Jul 15-Aug 25 Max: Aug 08 Radiant: 335 -05 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.75 +0.21 Velocity: 42 km/s Population Index: 3.4 ZHR: 4 NOTES: See Southern Delta Aquarids. Perseids (PER) Active: Jul 17-Aug 24 Max: Aug 12 Radiant: 46 +57 Diameter: 5 Drift: +1.4 +0.18 Velocity: 59 km/s Population Index: 2.6 ZHR: see Notes NOTES: This is the most popular meteor shower of the year due to the combination of high rates and fair weather this time of year in much of the Northern Hemisphere. A majority of activity is produced on August 11, 12, and 13. The shower's primary maximum has produced rates of 400+ in 1991 and 1992, around 300 in 1993, 220 in 1994 and about 160 in 1995. The return of the parent comet, 109P/Swift-Tuttle in late 1992 is almost certainly responsible for these recent outbursts, although the material was probably laid down during the comet's previous perihelion passage in 1862. A secondary maximum occurs with ZHRs often approaching 100 or more. The brighter members of this shower are often colorful and produce long-lasting trains. The Perseids are easy to photograph near the date of maximum activity. Unfortunately this shower is nearly invisible from the Southern Hemisphere due to the northerly declination of its radiant. Kappa Cygnids (KCG) Active: Aug 03-Aug 25 Max: Aug 17 Radiant: 286 +59 Diameter: 6 Drift: +0.2 +0.1 Velocity: 25 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: 3 NOTES: There is very little information concerning this shower due to its low activity. The meteors tend to be very slow and medium bright to faint. It has been suggested that this is a fireball shower with a periodicity of 6.6 years. But this is unproven at the present time, so many more observations will be needed to determine if this is true. This shower is best observed from the Northern Hemisphere. N. Iota Aquarids (NIA) Active: Aug 11-Aug 31 Max: Aug 19 Radiant: 327 -06 Diameter: 5 Drift: +1.03 +0.13 Velocity: 31 km/s Population Index: 3.2 ZHR: 3 NOTES: See Southern Iota Aquarids. Alpha Aurigids (AUR) Active: Aug 25-Sep 05 Max: Aug 31 Radiant: 84 +42 Diameter: 5 Drift: +1.1 0.0 Velocity: 66 km/s Population Index: 2.5 ZHR: 10 NOTES: Just as the last of the Perseid meteors are seen, the Alpha Aurigids become active. Rates are usually low for this shower except for a period of about one hour on the morning of August 31. If you are situated in dark morning skies when this sharp maximum occurs, you may see up to 50 shower members radiating from the "Pentagon" of Auriga. Shower members seen during this peak of activity are often bright and leave long-lasting trains. Notable displays were seen in 1935, 1986, and 1994. The Alpha Aurigids may be particles from Comet Kiess, last seen in 1911. Photographing the Alpha Aurigids is difficult except during the time of maximum activity. Delta Aurigids (DAU) Active: Sep 05-Oct 10 Max: Sep 08 Radiant: 60 +47 Diameter: 5 Drift: +1.0 +0.1 Velocity: 64 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: 6 NOTES: The meteors from this shower are fast moving and better situated for mid-northern latitudes where the radiant reaches a suitable elevation earlier in the night. Plotting is recommended for this shower as much more information needs to be obtained. Observers are urged to face the direction of the radiant in order to obtain a well-distributed sample of paths. Piscids (SPI) Active: Sep 01-Sep 30 Max: Sep 19 Radiant: 05 -01 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.8 +0.2 Velocity: 26 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: 3 NOTES: The radiant of the Piscids is well situated for Northern and Southern Hemisphere observers. Activity is very low so care must be taken in identification to avoid sporadics being incorrectly counted as Piscids. Meteors tend to be slow with a velocity of about 26 km/s. Draconids (GIA) Active: Oct 06-Oct 10 Max: Oct 9 Radiant: 262 +54 Diameter: 2 Drift: ? Velocity: 20 km/s Population Index: 2.6 ZHR: variable NOTES: This is a PERIODIC shower which is visible during a short period before or after the perihelion passage of its parent comet, 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. The radiant is circumpolar for northern latitudes, but best placed in the early parts of the night. The theory of the evolution of meteoroid streams support the idea that this will become an annual shower at some point, probably several centuries in the future. But planetary perturbations may cause the stream to miss the Earth entirely. Periodic showers such as this one prove how much regular observing is necessary to catch unexpected returns. Negative observations are equally valuable since this helps to modify our understanding of how meteoroid streams evolve. Outbursts of the Draconids occurred in 1933, 1946 and 1985. Epsilon Geminids (EGE) Active: Oct 14-Oct 27 Max: Oct 18 Radiant: 102 +27 Diameter: 5 Drift: +1.0 +0.1 Velocity: 70 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: 2 NOTES: The maximum of this shower is not distinct and occurs around October 20. Meteors from this shower will be very fast. Care must be used in distinguishing meteors from this radiant and that of the Orionids. Orionids (ORI) Active: Oct 02-Nov 07 Max: Oct 21 Radiant: 95 +16 Diam: 10 Drift: +0.65 +0.11 Velocity: 66 km/s Population Index: 2.9 ZHR: 20 NOTES: The Orionids are the incoming (pre-perihelion) particles from Halley's comet. This shower is active throughout October and reaches its maximum activity between October 17 and 25. The highest hourly rates average near 15 but occasionally reaches 40. Most Orionid meteors are faint and therefore difficult to photograph. This shower's radiant is located near the Celestial Equator allowing it to be seen equally well from both hemispheres. S. Taurids (STA) Active: Oct 01-Nov 25 Max: Nov 05 Radiant: 50 +13 Diameter: 20/10 Drift: +0.79 +0.15 Velocity: 27 km/s Population Index: 2.3 ZHR: 5 NOTES: These are slow, bright meteors visible during the months of October and November. This shower has two radiants of nearly equal activity 10 degrees apart. The southern radiant reaches its maximum activity during the first week of November, while the northern radiant peaks one week later. The activity of this and the related Southern branch (see below) produce an apparent plateau-like maximum for about 10 days in early November. With the radiant position reaching culmination just after midnight, Taurid meteors can be observed for most of the night. The stream is noted for its many brightly colored meteors although this seems to not be the case in every year.. Although the dominant color is yellow, many orange, green, red and blue fireballs have been recorded. The Taurids are produced by debris from Comet 2P/Encke. N. Taurids (NTA) Active: Oct 01-Nov 25 Max: Nov 12 Radiant: 58 +22 Diameter: 20/10 Drift: +0.76 +0.10 Velocity: 29 km/s Population Index: 2.3 ZHR: 5 NOTES: See notes for Southern Taurids. Leonids (LEO) Active: Nov 14-Nov 21 Max: Nov 17 Radiant: 153 +22 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.7 -0.4 Velocity: 71 km/s Population Index: 2.5 ZHR: 40+ NOTES: The Leonids are a shower of short duration, lasting only one week centered on November 18. The Leonids are particles from Comet Temple-Tuttle, which will reach perihelion in 1998. A great concentration of particles exists near the parent comet. In years when the comet is far from the inner solar system the activity remains below 10 meteors per hour. However, for approximately 10 years centered on the perihelion passage of Temple-Tuttle, the Leonids can produce marvelous displays of celestial fireworks. We are now within this period of enhanced activity and one should not miss the opportunity to watch the Leonids. During periods of high activity, the Leonids are easy to photograph. Many shower members are bright and leave long lasting trains. The Leonid stream collides with the earth from a head-on position that produces the highest velocity of all major showers: 71 km/s, often producing blue, green or white meteors that frequently leave a train. Fortunately the Leonid radiant is located close enough to the Celestial Equator that these displays may be enjoyed by both hemispheres. Alpha Monocerotids (AMO) Active: Nov 15-Nov 25 Max: Nov 21 Radiant: 110 +03 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.8 -0.2 Velocity: 65 km/s Population Index: 2.4 ZHR: variable NOTES: The Alpha Monocerotids are noted for their variable activity which in some years is virtually non-existent while in others the maximum ZHR has exceeded 100 meteors per hour. Outbursts have occurred in 1925, 1935, 1985 and 1995, suggesting a 10 year periodicity. Chi Orionids (XOR) Active: Nov 26-Dec 15 Max: Dec 02 Radiant: 82 +23 Diameter: 8 Drift: +1.2 0.0 Velocity: 28 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: 3 NOTES: These meteors are well placed in the sky for both Northern and Southern Hemisphere observers and allow many hours of observing each night. The shower has a double radiant but its southern branch has rarely been detected. Members of this stream may be a continuation of the ecliptic complex after the Taurids end. The radiant above is a combined one, suitable for visual work. Rates are usually low but occasionally fireballs will occur. Phoenicids (PHO) Active: Nov 28-Dec 09 Max: Dec 06 Radiant: 18 -53 Diameter: 5 Drift: ? Velocity: 18 km/s Population Index: 2.8 ZHR: variable NOTES: This is possibly a PERIODIC shower only visible from the Southern Hemisphere. There is a gradual rise to a maximum on December 5, and although the maximum ZHR is usually below 3, on some occasions much greater rates have been recorded. Only one impressive return has been reported, that of its discovery in 1956 when rates were about 100. Three other potential bursts of lower activity have been reported, but never by more than one observer. IMO observers have noted rates barely at the detection limit between the years of 1988-1995, making the normal current activity almost nonexistent. Puppid/Velids (PUP) Active: Dec 01-Dec 15 Max: Dec 07 Radiant: 123 -45 Diameter: 20 Drift: +0.5 0.0 Velocity: 40 km/s Population Index: 2.9 ZHR: 10 NOTES: There are indications of a number of radiants active in the Puppis-Vela region from late October to the end of January. Generally, this shower produces about 2 meteors per hour but rates can exceed 5 per hour. Since several sub-centers exist, a radiant diameter of 20 degrees should be used. Plotting is recommended. This shower is noted for its spectacular fireballs. The Puppid/Velids are in desperate need of many more observations. Dec. Monocerotids (MON) Active: Nov 27-Dec 17 Max: Dec 8 Radiant: 100 +08 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.77 +0.24 Velocity: 42 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: 3 NOTES: The Monocerotids are observable from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. They tend to produce low rates, on the order of 1 or 2 per hour. Care must be used when distinguishing these meteors from the Geminids which are also active at the same time. Sigma Hydrids (HYD) Active: Dec 03-Dec 15 Max: Dec 11 Radiant: 127 +02 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.7 -0.2 Velocity: 58 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: 2 NOTES: Although first detected in the 1960s by photography, these meteors are typically swift and faint, with rates generally low, often close to the visual detection limit. This shower is observable from both hemispheres since the radiant is located just to the southwest of the "head" asterism of Hydra. It is noted for production of meteors with trains, and the shower can be best observed after local midnight right up through dawn. Geminids (GEM) Active: Dec 07-Dec 17 Max: Dec 13 Radiant: 112 +33 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.97 -0.08 Velocity: 35 km/s Population Index: 2.6 ZHR: 110 NOTES: The Geminids, with their high rates and reliability from year to year, are the shower of choice of veteran meteor observers. This is usually the strongest shower of the year and produces nearly 100 meteors per hour on the morning of December 14. The Geminids are visible for one week prior to maximum, but the great majority of activity is limited to December 13 and 14. The peak has shown slight signs of variability in time and maximum rates, and the true maximum may fall a few hours before or after the published time. Some mass-sorting across the stream means that fainter telescopic meteor rates are at their highest almost one degree of solar longitude ahead of the visual peak. Telescopic observations show these meteors radiate from an elongated region, with up to three possible sub-centers. This shower produces many bright meteors, but persistent trains are rare. Near maximum there are many fireballs with vivid colors, especially their many bright yellow-orange meteors, making this shower easy to photograph. The Geminids are visible from the Southern Hemisphere, but at a greatly reduced rate. The parent object of the Geminids was unknown until recently. However, the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, discovered by IRAS (Infrared Astronomical Satellite) in 1983, is now known to be the source of the Geminid meteors and it is also the only non-cometary object associated with the evolution of a major annual stream. Coma Berenicids (COM) Active: Dec 12-Jan 23 Max: Dec 19 Radiant: 175 +25 Diameter: 5 Drift: +0.8 -0.3 Velocity: 65 km/s Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: 5 NOTES: The Coma Berenicids are best seen the last few hours before sunrise from the Northern Hemisphere. Northern observers should endeavor to monitor this shower after the period of maximum Geminid activity. Although maximum occurs in December, rates are still moderate during January. Ursids (URS) Active: Dec 17-Dec 26 Max: Dec 22 Radiant: 217 +76 Diameter: 5 Drift: 0.0 -0.4 Velocity: 33 Population Index: 3.0 ZHR: 10 NOTES: This shower has been poorly observed although at least two major outburst have occurred in 1945 and 1986, and several other enhanced rates, most recently in 1988 and 1994. The parent comet of this shower is Comet Tuttle, which last reached perihelion in 1994. An odd feature of this shower is the apparent existence of a small condensation of material opposite the comet. A short but strong display has been seen three times while Comet Tuttle was near aphelion, with the last burst of activity occurring in 1986. Thus the year 2000 may provide the next possible strong display of Ursid meteors. A great majority of the Ursid activity occurs on the morning of December 22. The Ursids display variable activity with ZHRs of around 50 being recorded on occasion. This shower is difficult to photograph due to the low numbers and the faintness of its meteors. This shower is invisible in the Southern Hemisphere.
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