12Nov
Northern Taurids
Peaks in 16 days · active 20 Oct – 10 Dec
Slow, often bright fireballs.
Rate at peak~5 / hour
LookS, around midnight
Moon10% litDark skies
Sea, hills & sky · Meteors
Meteor showers
The year's main showers in order of their next peak. Arran's dark skies away from the villages are ideal.
17Nov
Leonids
Peaks in 21 days · active 6 Nov – 30 Nov
Very fast meteors with persistent trains.
Rate at peak~15 / hour
LookE, after midnight
Moon57% litSome moonlight
14Dec
Geminids
Peaks in 48 days · active 4 Dec – 20 Dec
The richest shower of the year.
Rate at peak~150 / hour
LookHigh in the E, all night
Moon30% litSome moonlight
22Dec
Ursids
Peaks in 56 days · active 17 Dec – 26 Dec
Circumpolar radiant, visible all night.
Rate at peak~10 / hour
LookN, all night
Moon98% litWashes out fainter meteors
3Jan
Quadrantids
Peaks in 68 days · active 28 Dec – 12 Jan
Short, sharp peak lasting only a few hours.
Rate at peak~110 / hour
LookNE, best before dawn
Moon18% litDark skies
22Apr
Lyrids
Peaks in 176 days · active 14 Apr – 30 Apr
Occasional bright fireballs.
Rate at peak~18 / hour
LookNE, best after midnight
Moon97% litWashes out fainter meteors
5May
Eta Aquariids
Peaks in 189 days · active 19 Apr – 28 May
Low from Scotland; dust from Halley's Comet.
Rate at peak~50 / hour
LookE, just before dawn
Moon0% litDark skies
30Jul
Southern Delta Aquariids
Peaks in 275 days · active 12 Jul – 23 Aug
Low in the southern sky from Scotland.
Rate at peak~25 / hour
LookS, after midnight
Moon9% litDark skies
12Aug
Perseids
Peaks in 288 days · active 17 Jul – 24 Aug
The year's favourite, in warm August nights.
Rate at peak~100 / hour
LookNE, all night, best before dawn
Moon78% litWashes out fainter meteors
8Oct
Draconids
Peaks in 345 days · active 6 Oct – 10 Oct
Usually weak, occasionally surprises.
Rate at peak~10 / hour
LookNW, early evening
Moon58% litSome moonlight
21Oct
Orionids
Peaks in 358 days · active 2 Oct – 7 Nov
Fast meteors from Halley's Comet.
Rate at peak~20 / hour
LookE, after midnight
Moon61% litWashes out fainter meteors
Rates are zenithal hourly rates under perfect dark skies. Expect fewer in practice. Peak dates can shift by a day from year to year.