2025 Meteor Showers Guide: Schedule Your Skywatching Adventures
2025 promises an exciting lineup of celestial events for astronomy enthusiasts. While this year dazzled us with supermoons and the aurora borealis, next year’s calendar is filled with meteor showers ready for your viewing pleasure.
Quadrantids
When: Dec. 26, 2024, to Jan. 16, 2025
Peak: Jan. 2 to 3
Maximum meteor rate: 120 per hour
Radiant: The Big Dipper
Starting the New Year with a celestial bang, the Quadrantids peak in the first few days of January. This major meteor shower originates from the asteroid 2003 EH and is known for its short, intense peak. You’ll have about six hours on the night of January 2 into January 3 to catch up to 120 meteors per hour light up the sky.
Gamma Normids
When: Feb. 25 to Mar. 28
Peak: Mar. 14 to 15
Maximum meteor rate: 6 per hour
Radiant: Norma
A more subdued affair, the Gamma Normids may not offer the spectacle of other showers but still holds its charm. Peaking in mid-March, this minor shower emerges from the Crommelin comet, offering sporadic meteors primarily visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
Lyrids
When: Apr. 15 to Apr. 30
Peak: Apr. 21 to 22
Maximum meteor rate: 18 per hour
Radiant: Lyra
April brings the Lyrids, which provide up to 18 meteors per hour. This shower, resulting from the Thatcher comet, offers bright fireballs without trails, making each sighting a brilliant flash in the night sky.
Eta Aquariids
When: Apr. 20 to May 21
Peak: May 3 to 4
Maximum meteor rate: 50 per hour
Radiant: Aquarius
Created by the remnants of Halley’s Comet, the Eta Aquariids are a highlight of the spring sky. Best viewed in the early hours before dawn, this shower can produce up to 50 meteors per hour, making it well worth the late night.
Alpha Capricornids
When: July 12 to Aug. 12
Peak: July 29 to 30
Maximum meteor rate: 5 per hour
Radiant: Capricornus
Though not as prolific as other showers, the Alpha Capricornids are notable for their large, bright fireballs. Occurring in mid-summer, they offer a warm, leisurely night under the stars.
Southern delta Aquariids
When: July 28 to Aug. 12
Peak: July 29 to 30
Maximum meteor rate: 25 per hour
Radiant: Aquarius
The Southern delta Aquariids, peaking alongside the Alpha Capricornids, brighten the sky with about 25 meteors per hour. Their source remains a bit of a mystery, though they are thought to originate from the comet 96P/Machholz.
Perseids
When: July 17 to Aug. 23
Peak: Aug. 12 to 13
Maximum meteor rate: 100 per hour
Radiant: Perseus
One of the most beloved meteor showers, the Perseids, peak in the warmth of August. This shower from the Swift-Tuttle comet is known for its high activity and beautiful meteors, offering a spectacular show despite the bright moon.
Southern Taurids
When: Sept. 23 to Nov. 4
Peak: Oct. 10 to 11
Maximum meteor rate: 5 per hour
Radiant: Taurus
The Southern Taurids, although not particularly active, last over a month and can surprise skywatchers with sporadic bright meteors. Originating from the Encke comet, they share the night with other meteor showers of the season.
Orionids
When: Oct. 2 to Nov. 12
Peak: Oct. 22 to 23
Maximum meteor rate: 20 per hour
Radiant: Orion
Also stemming from Halley’s Comet, the Orionids are a robust shower that features bright meteors emanating from the Orion constellation. With minimal moonlight interference, this shower offers a clear, dark sky ideal for meteor watching.
Draconids
When: Oct. 6 to Oct. 10
Peak: Oct. 8
Maximum meteor rate: 10 per hour
Radiant: Draco
The Draconids, though brief, provide a decent show with about 10 meteors per hour. This shower from the Giacobini-Zimmer comet is best observed away from city lights, under the vast, open sky.
Northern Taurids
When: Oct. 13 to Dec. 1
Peak: Nov. 8 to 9
Maximum meteor rate: 5 per hour
Radiant: Taurus
The counterpart to the Southern Taurids, the Northern Taurids offer a similar viewing experience. While not abundant in meteors, the ones that do appear are often significantly bright and impressive.
Leonids
When: Nov. 3 to Dec. 2
Peak: Nov. 16 to 17
Maximum meteor rate: 15 per hour
Radiant: Leo
The Leonids, resulting from the Tempel-Tuttle comet, are well-known for their fast and bright meteors. With multiple other showers peaking around the same time, it’s a celestial event filled with potential surprises.
Geminids
When: Dec. 4 to Dec. 20
Peak: Dec. 14 to 15
Maximum meteor rate: 120 per hour
Radiant: Gemini
The Geminids are a major December event, known for their brightly glowing, slow-moving meteors. Despite the chill, this shower is a must-see, with potential for up to 120 meteors per hour.
Ursids
When: Dec. 17 to Dec. 26
Peak: Dec. 22 to 23
Maximum meteor rate: 10 per hour
Radiant: The Little Dipper
Closing out the year, the Ursids offer a quaint but charming show, often associated with the holiday season’s festive spirit. Though modest in number, the Ursids meteors can be a delightful addition to the winter holidays.