The Orionids usually yield about 20 to 25 meteors per hour throughout their peak and are recognized for being significantly brilliant—lots of the Orionids are fireball meteors. Like the Eta Aquariids, the Orionids are additionally particles left behind by Halley’s Comet.
The Orionids seem to radiate from the constellation Orion, which rises round 11 pm native time and is highest within the sky simply earlier than daybreak.
The new moon falls on the night time of October 21–22, and within the surrounding week the moon will set nicely earlier than midnight, so you should have good viewing circumstances to see this meteor bathe.
The Leonids (November–December)
The Leonids are energetic from about November 3 to December 2. They have a pointy peak, producing probably the most meteors in a single day from November 16 to November 17, based on the American Meteor Society. Other organizations, nonetheless, predict that this bathe will peak from November 17 to November 18. During the Leonids’ peak, you may anticipate to see about 15 meteors per hour underneath darkish skies.
Although the Leonids produce fewer meteors than many different of the most important meteor showers, they’re recognized for producing fast-moving, brilliant, fireball meteors.
The Leonids peak simply earlier than the brand new moon—on the morning of November 18, the moon can be simply 6 % illuminated and within the japanese US received’t rise till round 5 am on November 17, so that you’ll have ample time to see this meteor bathe underneath good viewing circumstances.
The Leonids’ radiant is the constellation Leo, which rises round midnight native time and is highest within the sky round daybreak.
The Geminids (December)
The Geminids are energetic from about December 4 to December 17, peaking in a single day from December 13 to December 14. They have a pointy peak, so the night time of the thirteenth is the perfect time for skywatching.
The Geminids are probably the most spectacular meteor bathe of the yr: In addition to boasting as much as 120 and even 150 meteors per hour throughout its peak, this meteor bathe can be the brightest and most colourful of the yr.
The Geminids are brilliant, slow-moving meteors that usually have yellow tones, however they could be a vary of different colours, together with inexperienced, blue, white, purple, or orange. And not like most meteors, that are attributable to comet particles, the Geminids are the remnant of an asteroid.
The night time that the Geminids’ peak, the their radiant, the constellation Gemini, can be above the horizon all night time and can attain its highest level round 2 am native time, so meteors can be seen virtually the entire night time.
That similar night time, the moon can be about 32 % illuminated and can rise round 1:30 am within the japanese US, so in the event you watch this bathe shortly after midnight, the moonlight received’t intrude together with your viewing expertise.
The Ursids (December)
The Ursids are energetic round December 17 to December 26, peaking within the early morning hours of December 22. This meteor bathe is much less energetic than others, usually yields about 10 meteors per hour; nonetheless, viewing circumstances can be good for skywatching. The moon will set at roughly 6 pm within the japanese US on the twenty first, so no moonlight will intrude with this meteor bathe.
Even although the Ursids usually produce probably the most meteors simply earlier than daybreak, when its radiant, the Little Dipper (or Ursa Minor), is highest within the sky, it is possible for you to to see meteors all through the complete night time throughout this bathe’s peak. In northern latitudes the Ursids’ radiant is above the horizon all night time.
