Wish upon a shooting star, they say. But what if I tell you, you can make more than one wish sometime of the year? Maybe, ten or more? Start creating your list as we embark on learning more about these beautiful shooting stars.
Meteor Showers also known as ‘Shooting Stars’ is an exhilarating celestial event that takes place a few times in a calendar year. The debris left behind by comets or asteroids in space collides with the Earth’s atmosphere resulting in bright streaks of light. The Earth often passes through this stream of debris around the same time, so it happens during specific times in a year.
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1. Quadrantids
@ Lamberto Sassoli
Quadrantids appear to radiate from near the constellation of Boötes. This meteor shower is thought to originate from asteroid 2003 EH1, which may be an extinct comet. The active period extends from December 28 to January 12, typically peaking around the 3rd or 4th of January. As one of the year's first and most impressive meteor showers, it is known for its bright fireballs and short peak duration.
2 . Lyrids
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Lyrids radiate from the constellation of Lyra and it originates from debris left behind by Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher). This is one of the oldest meteor showers, with records of its observation dating back to ancient Chinese astronomers. The active period is from April 16 to April 25, with peak activity usually occurring on the nights of April 22 and 23.
3. Eta Aquariids
Indonesia, May 5 2013, Justin Ng
The Eta Aquariids meteor shower is especially vibrant in the southern hemisphere but is also visible in the northern hemisphere. It is associated with Halley’s Comet and is radiant near the constellation of Aquarius. The active period is from April 19 to May 28, with its peak occurring in the first week of May.
4. Delta Aquariids
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The Delta Aquariids are best viewed from the southern hemisphere. This summer meteor shower is active from July 12 to August 23, peaking at the end of July. It originates from Comet 96P/Machholz and radiates from near the constellation of Aquarius.
5. Perseids
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The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most famous and popular meteor showers in the summer sky. It radiates from the constellation of Perseus and originates from debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Observed primarily in the northern hemisphere, the Perseids peak in mid-August, around August 12 and 13. In ancient times, they were described as the "Tears of Saint Lawrence" as the shower coincided with the Feast of Saint Lawrence on August 10.
6. Draconids
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Draconids radiate from the constellation of Draco and are associated with Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. Unlike most meteor showers, the Draconids are best viewed in the evening rather than after midnight. The active period is from October 6 to October 10, with peak activity typically occurring on October 8. While this shower is usually sparse, producing only a few meteors per hour, it occasionally produces exceptional outbursts, as observed in 1933 and 1946.
7. Orionids
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The Orionids radiate from the constellation of Orion and are associated with Halley’s Comet. This shower is known for its fast meteors that often leave persistent trains in the sky. The active period is from October 2 to November 7, with the peak typically occurring around October 20 or 21. It is best viewed in the early morning hours and can produce about 20 meteors per hour under optimal conditions.
8. Leonids
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Leonids emanating from the constellation of Leo is a meteor shower which is an annual event that occurs in November. It originates from debris left behind by Comet 55P/Temple-Tuttle which orbits the sun approximately every 33 years. The active period this year is from November 6-30, but the peak activity is on the nights of 16th and 17th November. Historically, the Leonids have produced spectacular shows notably in 1833 and 1966. Such intense activity is rare.
9. Geminids
Geminids appear to radiate near the constellation of Gemini. It is one of the most spectacular meteor showers in the year, as the meteors are multi-colored depending on traces of metals in them. Unlike most meteor showers that originate from comets, this meteor shower is associated with the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. The Geminids were first observed in 1862, and they have been observed to become intense every year. The active period is from December 4-17 this year, but the peak activity is supposed to be on the night of 13th and 14th December.
10. Ursids
VitaliyPozdeyev, Getty images/Bill Ingalls, NASA
Ursid meteors appear to radiate from the constellation of Ursa Minor. The shower is associated with Comet 8P/Tuttle. Typically, it only produces about 5 to 10 meteors/hour under optimal conditions. This is a sparse shower compared to the others that occur in the year. It occurs around the time of the winter solstice. It will be active between the 17th-26th of December and it’ll peak on the night of the 23rd of December.
For the best viewing of these showers, you can plan to go away from midnight till dawn to a dark area away from the city to enhance visibility; and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness of the sky. Wishing you clear skies and a memorable experience!
-- Asmi Karmarkar
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