Meteor Shower Predictor: Catch the Shooting Stars
Find the best meteor showers visible from your location. Get peak dates, hourly rates, and optimal viewing conditions for spectacular celestial shows.
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through trails of debris left by comets and asteroids. As these tiny particles (often no larger than grains of sand) strike our atmosphere at speeds up to 70 km/s, they create brilliant streaks of light we call “shooting stars.” Our Meteor Shower Predictor tells you exactly when and where to look for the year’s best displays—from the reliable Perseids in August to the spectacular Geminids in December, and even potential meteor storms when Earth encounters particularly dense debris.
Each meteor shower has a radiant point—the constellation from which meteors appear to originate (hence names like Perseids from Perseus, Leonids from Leo). This is a perspective effect; meteors travel in parallel paths, but appear to diverge from a single point like railroad tracks converging in the distance. The Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) measures ideal conditions: radiant at zenith, dark skies, no moon. Actual rates depend on your latitude, time of night, and sky conditions—our calculator adjusts for all these factors.
The International Meteor Organization coordinates global observation efforts, while NASA’s Meteor Watch provides real-time alerts. Some showers surprise us with outbursts—the Leonids produced storms of thousands of meteors per hour in 1833, 1866, and 1999 when Earth crossed particularly dense debris from Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Our predictor includes historical data and outburst potential, helping you plan for both reliable annual displays and potentially historic events.
Find Your Meteor Showers
Get personalized predictions based on your location and viewing conditions
Meteor Shower Predictor
Discover the next 10 meteor showers visible from your location
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through debris trails left by comets. Every year on the same dates, we encounter these cosmic dust clouds, creating predictable spectacular displays of "shooting stars." Find out when and where to watch the next celestial fireworks!
📍 Your Location
Or enter manually:
🌠 Next 10 Meteor Showers From Your Location
Upcoming meteor showers visible from your coordinates
📅 2025 Meteor Shower Calendar
Annual schedule of major meteor showers
🌙 Viewing Conditions Guide
Moon Phase Impact
Moon washes out faint meteors. Best viewing during new moon or when moon sets before shower peak.
Light Pollution
Dark sky: 100+ meteors/hour during peak
Suburban: 30-50 meteors/hour
City: 5-10 meteors/hour (only bright ones)
Weather & Clouds
Clear Skies: Essential! Even thin clouds block meteors.
Check Forecast: Look 2-3 days ahead, conditions change.
Humidity: Lower is better - clearer atmosphere.
Cold Nights: Actually better - less atmospheric distortion!
Best Viewing Time
After Midnight: Best time for most showers. Earth's "front" faces the debris.
Pre-Dawn: Peak activity 2-3 hours before sunrise.
Patience: Give eyes 20-30 minutes to adapt to darkness.
Duration: Plan 1-2 hours minimum for good show.
👀 How to Watch Meteor Showers
Find Dark Skies
Get Away From Lights: Drive at least 30 minutes from city. National parks, rural areas, or designated dark sky sites are ideal.
Check Light Pollution Maps: Use darksitefinder.com or lightpollutionmap.info to find dark locations near you.
Face Away From Lights: Even in suburbs, positioning matters. Turn away from street lights and neighbors' lights.
Prepare Your Setup
No Equipment Needed: Your eyes are the best meteor detectors! Binoculars and telescopes actually limit your view.
Bring Comfort: Reclining lawn chair or blanket to lie on. Sleeping bag for warmth. Pillow. Hot drinks.
Red Flashlight: Preserves night vision. Don't use phone or white lights!
Position Yourself
Look Up, Not at Radiant: Meteors appear all over sky. Looking 40-60° from radiant gives longest streaks.
Lie Back: Let your eyes scan the entire sky naturally. Don't focus on one spot.
North or South: Face direction with least light pollution. Usually away from nearest city.
Adapt & Wait
20-30 Minutes: Your eyes need this long to fully adapt to darkness. Don't look at phones!
Stay Patient: Meteors come in bursts. You might see none for 5 minutes, then 3 in 30 seconds.
ZHR Is Ideal: Zenithal Hourly Rate assumes perfect conditions. Expect 50-70% of ZHR in good conditions.
Capture the Moment
Photography: DSLR with wide-angle lens, 15-30 second exposures, ISO 1600-3200, f/2.8 or faster.
Time-lapse: Shoot continuously to capture multiple meteors, then stack images.
Enjoy Visually First: Don't let photography ruin the experience! Watch with eyes, photograph secondarily.
Stay Safe
Dress Warmly: Even summer nights get cold after midnight. Layer up!
Bring Company: More fun and safer. Each person can watch different parts of sky.
Tell Someone: Let others know where you're going and when you'll return.
Wildlife: Be aware in remote areas. Make noise, carry flashlight, store food properly.
🔬 The Science of Meteor Showers
What Are Meteors?
Meteors are tiny pieces of space debris - usually comet dust or asteroid fragments - burning up in Earth's atmosphere. Most are smaller than a grain of sand! They travel 25,000-160,000 mph, creating friction with air molecules that heat them to 3,000°F+. The streak you see is glowing air, not the rock burning.
Comet Debris Trails
Comets shed dust and ice as they orbit the Sun. This debris spreads out along the comet's orbital path, forming a stream. When Earth crosses these streams, we see meteor showers. Some streams are thousands of years old! Perseids come from Swift-Tuttle (last visited 1992, returns 2126).
Why Same Dates Every Year?
Earth's orbit is predictable. We cross the same points in space on the same dates each year. Perseids always peak Aug 12, Geminids Dec 14. The comet debris streams are stable over centuries. Ancient Chinese saw Perseids on same dates 2,000 years ago!
Speed & Colors
Meteor speed depends on orbital mechanics. Leonids hit Earth head-on at 71 km/s (fastest). Geminids at 35 km/s. Speed determines color: fast = blue-white (excited nitrogen/oxygen), slow = yellow-orange (sodium). Some leave ionized trails glowing for seconds!
The Radiant Point
All meteors in a shower travel parallel, but perspective makes them appear to radiate from one point - like looking down a straight road. This "radiant" is just the direction Earth is moving. Named after the constellation: Perseids radiate from Perseus, Geminids from Gemini.
ZHR - The Rate Standard
Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) is the number of meteors an observer would see per hour under perfect conditions: radiant at zenith (straight up), perfectly dark sky, clear weather. Real observations typically see 30-70% of ZHR. Still useful for comparing showers!
⭐ Amazing Meteor Facts
Shooting Stars Aren't Stars
Meteors are tiny pieces of dust and rock, usually smaller than a grain of sand! They burn up 50-80 miles above Earth traveling 25,000-160,000 mph. Most are fragments from comets that have orbited the sun for centuries. The brilliant streak you see is air molecules glowing from friction, not the rock itself burning.
Meteor Showers Are Predictable
Earth passes through the same comet debris trails every year on the same dates. Perseids always peak around August 12, Geminids around December 14. Ancient Chinese astronomers recorded the Perseids 2,000 years ago - they've been happening every August since! This predictability makes them perfect for planning viewing parties.
100 Tons of Meteors Hit Earth Daily
Every single day, Earth gains about 100 tons of cosmic dust and meteoroids. That's the weight of 50 cars! Most are microscopic and burn up harmlessly. During major showers, the rate increases. Over millions of years, this cosmic rain has added significant mass to Earth. We're literally made of stardust!
Speed Makes the Spectacle
Meteor speed determines the show quality. Leonids (71 km/s) produce brilliant fireballs. Geminids (35 km/s) create slower, more colorful streaks. The fastest - Leonids and Eta Aquarids - can leave glowing ion trails lasting seconds. Speed also determines color: faster meteors appear blue-white, slower ones yellow-orange.
Meteor Storms Are Rare Spectacles
Occasionally, Earth passes through dense comet debris, producing meteor storms with 1,000+ meteors per hour! 1833 Leonids: 100,000+/hour - people thought the world was ending. 1966 Leonids: 40/second for 15 minutes. 2001 Leonids: thousands per hour. These happen roughly every 33 years for Leonids when parent comet returns.
Most Meteors Vaporize Completely
Only 1 in a million meteors reaches the ground as a meteorite. The vast majority completely vaporize at 50+ miles altitude. Larger meteoroids (fist-sized+) can survive and create brilliant fireballs. Basketball-sized or larger create sonic booms. Car-sized objects make it to the ground, creating impact craters.
Radiant Is Perspective, Not Origin
All meteors in a shower travel parallel, but perspective makes them appear to radiate from one point - like looking down a straight highway. The "radiant" is just the direction Earth is heading. Meteors actually appear all over the sky, but traceback lines converge at the radiant. Look 40-60° away from radiant for best viewing!
Some Showers Are From Asteroids
Most meteor showers come from comets, but Geminids (best shower!) come from asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This "rock comet" may be a dead comet that lost its ice, or an asteroid that gets hot enough to shed dust. Quadrantids also come from an asteroid. These asteroid showers produce denser, more colorful meteors.
📜 Historic Meteor Shower Events
1833 Leonid Storm
The most spectacular meteor storm in recorded history. Estimates of 100,000-240,000 meteors per hour over North America.
1966 Leonid Storm
Modern era's greatest storm: 40 meteors per SECOND for 15 minutes over Arizona. Peak rate: 144,000 per hour!
2001 Leonid Storm
Multiple peaks with thousands per hour. Visible from Asia and North America. Spectacular fireballs.
Chelyabinsk Meteor
Though not a shower, this 20-meter meteor exploded over Russia with 500 kilotons of energy. Injured 1,500 from broken glass.
Perseids Medieval Records
Chinese astronomers recorded "more than 100 meteors flew in the morning" in 36 AD. First written record of Perseids.
1998 June Bootid Outburst
This usually quiet shower surprised everyone with 100+ meteors per hour. Completely unexpected!
📸 Photographing Meteor Showers
🎥 Equipment Needed
- DSLR or Mirrorless Camera: Full manual control essential
- Wide-Angle Lens: 14-24mm, f/2.8 or faster ideal
- Sturdy Tripod: Absolutely necessary for long exposures
- Remote Shutter: Intervalometer for time-lapse
- Extra Batteries: Cold drains batteries fast
- Headlamp: Red light to preserve night vision
⚙️ Camera Settings
- Mode: Full Manual (M)
- Aperture: f/2.8 or wider (f/1.8, f/1.4 if available)
- Shutter Speed: 15-30 seconds (longer = star trails)
- ISO: 1600-3200 (test and adjust)
- Focus: Manual focus on star or distant light at infinity
- Format: Shoot RAW for post-processing flexibility
🎯 Composition Tips
- Include Foreground: Trees, mountains, landmarks add interest
- Avoid Radiant: Point 40-60° away for longer meteor trails
- North Star: Polaris in frame creates circular star trails if exposing longer
- Rule of Thirds: Place horizon on lower third, sky on upper two-thirds
- Scout Location: Visit during day to plan compositions
⚡ Time-Lapse Technique
- Intervalometer: Set to shoot every 30-45 seconds
- Shoot All Night: 200-500 frames minimum
- Consistent Settings: Don't change mid-sequence
- Post-Processing: Stack images to combine multiple meteors
- Video Creation: 20-30fps in editing for smooth playback
- StarStaX: Free software for stacking meteor images
❌ Meteor Shower Myths Busted
MYTH: You need special equipment
Meteors appear anywhere in the sky. The wider your view, the more you'll see. Telescopes show tiny areas - you'd miss 99% of meteors!
MYTH: Look directly at the radiant
Meteors near radiant appear short (coming at you). Those away from radiant show long trails across sky. Best viewing is away from radiant!
MYTH: Peak = exact time
Perseids peak Aug 12 but are active Jul 17 - Aug 24. Peak night has most meteors, but you'll see plenty 1-2 nights before/after.
MYTH: You'll see 100+ per hour
Light pollution, moon, clouds, horizon blocking, and attention lapses reduce counts. Dark rural sky on moonless night = close to ZHR.
MYTH: Meteors are dangerous
Meteors vaporize completely at high altitude. Basketball-sized+ might survive, but odds of being hit are 1 in several billion per year.
MYTH: You can't see them from cities
Major showers produce bright fireballs visible even through light pollution. Dark skies are better, but don't skip if you're stuck in city!
How to Use the Meteor Shower Predictor
1. Set Your Location
Enter your city or coordinates. Your latitude affects which showers are visible and when radiant points rise above your horizon. Northern and Southern Hemisphere observers see different showers at different times—we calculate optimal viewing windows for your specific location.
2. View Upcoming Showers
See all major and minor showers for the year with peak dates, expected rates, and parent bodies. Sort by date, intensity, or visibility from your location. Each shower includes the best viewing hours and Moon phase impact—crucial for dark sky observation.
3. Plan Your Watch
Get specific viewing recommendations: best night, optimal hours (usually after midnight), where to look, and what to bring. Calendar reminders help you never miss a show. Tips for photography and group viewing events included.
Why Watch Meteor Showers?
✨ No Equipment Needed
Unlike most astronomical observations, meteor watching requires only your eyes, a dark sky, and patience. Telescopes and binoculars are actually counterproductive—you need wide-field vision. Perfect for beginners and families. Learn constellations with our Constellation Finder.
☄️ Comet Connections
Each shower connects you to a specific comet or asteroid. Perseids come from Comet Swift-Tuttle, Leonids from Tempel-Tuttle. You’re watching ancient debris enter Earth’s atmosphere—particles that may have orbited the Sun for millennia. Track impacts with our Asteroid Impact Odds Calculator.
📷 Astrophotography
Meteor photography is challenging but rewarding. Long exposures capture trails against star backgrounds; video can catch fireballs. Major showers reliably produce photogenic events. Plan shots using our Virtual Telescope Simulator.
🌙 Citizen Science
Your observations contribute to science! The International Meteor Organization collects reports worldwide. Accurate counts help refine stream models and predict future activity. Every observer adds data. Connect cosmic events with our Cosmic Horoscope Calculator.
Major Annual Meteor Showers
Perseids (Aug 12-13)
ZHR: 100+. Parent: Comet Swift-Tuttle. The most popular shower—warm summer nights, reliable rates, bright meteors. Active July 17 – Aug 24. Best after midnight; radiant in Perseus rises all night for northern observers.
Geminids (Dec 13-14)
ZHR: 150. Parent: Asteroid 3200 Phaethon. The year’s best shower—highest rates, multicolored meteors. Radiant up all night. Challenge: cold December weather in Northern Hemisphere. Worth braving the cold!
Leonids (Nov 17-18)
ZHR: 15 (normal), 1000+ (storms). Parent: Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Produced legendary storms in 1833, 1866, 1999. Fast meteors (71 km/s). Next potential storm: ~2099. Still worth watching—occasional fireballs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to watch meteor showers?
Generally after midnight, peaking around 2-4 AM local time. This is when your location rotates to face “forward” in Earth’s orbit, encountering meteors head-on (like bugs hitting a car windshield). Morning observers see more meteors and faster ones. However, each shower varies—check our predictor for your specific shower’s optimal hours based on when its radiant is highest.
How does the Moon affect meteor watching?
A bright Moon is the meteor watcher’s enemy—its light washes out fainter meteors. A full Moon can reduce visible rates by 70%+. New Moon or a Moon that sets early provides optimal conditions. Our predictor shows Moon phase and rise/set times for each shower. If the Moon is up, position it behind you and focus on the opposite sky.
Where should I look in the sky?
Counterintuitively, don’t stare directly at the radiant point. Meteors near the radiant appear short (heading toward you); those 45-90° away show longer trails. The best strategy: lie back facing generally toward the radiant, but scan a wide area of sky. Let your eyes adjust to darkness for at least 20 minutes—no phone screens! Look about halfway up the sky.
What are sporadic meteors?
Besides shower meteors (which come from a specific radiant), “sporadic” meteors appear randomly from any direction—about 5-10 per hour on any clear night. These are random solar system debris not associated with known streams. During a shower, you’ll see both shower members (tracing back to the radiant) and sporadics. Both are legitimate shooting stars!
Related Night Sky Tools
- Constellation Finder – Identify star patterns
- Eclipse Calculator – Solar and lunar eclipses
- Virtual Telescope Simulator – Explore deep sky objects
- Asteroid Impact Odds Calculator – Near-Earth objects
- ISS Tracker & Spotter – Space station passes
- Cosmic Horoscope Calculator – Astronomical birthdays
Scientific References & Further Reading
- Meteor Shower – Wikipedia comprehensive guide
- Perseids – August’s famous shower
- Geminids – December’s spectacular display
- International Meteor Organization – Global observations
- NASA Meteor Watch – Real-time alerts
- Zenithal Hourly Rate – Understanding meteor counts
- American Meteor Society – Observation reports
- Leonids – Historic meteor storms