Meteor Shower Guide
A guide to the eight major annual meteor showers — the Perseids, Geminids, Quadrantids and more — with source-backed activity windows, peak nights, and rates from the IMO. Annual definitions, not a live meteor count.
Quadrantids
Peak night of 3–4 January
Active 28 December – 12 January. ZHR ≈ 110, 41 km/s. Best from the Northern Hemisphere.
Lyrids
Peak night of 22–23 April
Active 16 – 25 April. ZHR ≈ 18, 49 km/s. Best from the Northern Hemisphere.
Eta Aquariids
Peak night of 5–6 May
Active 19 April – 28 May. ZHR ≈ 50, 66 km/s. Best from the Southern Hemisphere.
Perseids
Peak night of 12–13 August
Active 17 July – 24 August. ZHR ≈ 100, 59 km/s. Best from the Northern Hemisphere.
Orionids
Peak night of 21–22 October
Active 2 October – 7 November. ZHR ≈ 20, 66 km/s. Best from the both hemispheres.
Leonids
Peak night of 17–18 November
Active 6 – 30 November. ZHR ≈ 15, 71 km/s. Best from the both hemispheres.
Geminids
Peak night of 13–14 December
Active 4 – 20 December. ZHR ≈ 150, 35 km/s. Best from the both hemispheres.
Taurids
Peak early November
Active September – December (two branches). ZHR ≈ 5, 28 km/s. Best from the both hemispheres.
Zenithal hourly rates (ZHR) are ideal-condition maxima under a dark sky with the radiant overhead; real observed rates are usually lower. Peak nights are annual and shift a day or two year to year.
Sources & references
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- IMOInternational Meteor Organization
Meteor shower activity, radiants, and peak forecasts.