Orionids usually have about 20 to 25 meteors per hour during peak periods and are known for being particularly bright – many Orionids are fireball meteors. Like Eta Aquariids, Orionids are also fragments left by Halley’s comet.
Orionids appear to emanate from the constellation Orion, which rises around 11pm local time, the highest in the sky before dawn.
The new moon is on the evening of October 21-22, and during the surrounding week, the moon will be set before midnight, so you will have the perfect viewing conditions to watch this meteor shower.
Leonids (November to December)
According to the American Meteor Association, from November 3 to December 2, Leonid’s event was active from November 3 to December 2. Their peaks are a stark peak, producing the most meteors overnight from November 16 to November 17. However, other organizations predict that the shower will peak from November 17 to November 18. During the peak of Leonids, you can expect to see about 15 meteors per hour under dark skies.
Although leonids produce fewer meteors than many other major meteor showers, they are known for producing fast, bright fireball meteors.
On the leonids peak before the new moon – on the morning of November 18, the moon will have only 6% illumination, in the eastern United States, and we won’t rise until around 5 a.m. on November 17, so you’ll have plenty of time to see this meteor shower in perfect viewing conditions.
The radiation of Leonids is the constellation Leo, which rises at the local midnight period and is highest in the sky near dawn.
Gemini (December)
Gemini are active from around December 4 to December 17, and spend the night from December 13 to December 14. They are peak and peak, so the night on the 13th is the best time for Skywatching.
Gemini is the most spectacular meteor shower of the year. In addition to reaching 120 or even 150 meteors per hour during peak hours, this meteor shower is also the smartest and most colorful shower of the year.
Gemini are bright, slow shooting stars that usually have yellow hues, but they can be other colors such as green, blue, white, red or orange. Unlike most meteors caused by comet fragments, Gemini is a residue of an asteroid.
The Gemini peaks (their radiant mountains, the constellation Gemini) will be above the horizon all night and will reach its highest point around 2 a.m. local time, so the meteors can be seen almost throughout the night.
The moon will be about 32% illuminated that night and will rise at 1:30 a.m. in the eastern U.S., so if you watch this shower soon after midnight, the moonlight will not interfere with your viewing experience.
Ursids (December)
Ursids were active around December 17 to December 26, reaching their peak in the early hours of December 22. This meteor shower is less active than others, usually about 10 meteors per hour; however, viewing conditions are perfect for skydiving. The moon will be set around 6 p.m. on the 21st, so no moonlight will interfere with this meteor shower.
