MeteorGazer is the most advanced meteor shower prediction system available online. Our sophisticated astronomical algorithms analyze multiple factors to deliver accurate visibility forecasts for any location worldwide. Whether you're planning to watch the famous Perseid meteor shower in August or the spectacular Geminids in December, our system provides precise timing, optimal viewing windows, and moonlight interference analysis.
Our prediction engine considers meteor shower activity periods, zenith hourly rate (ZHR), radiant point altitude, moon phase and position, light pollution levels, and local astronomical twilight times. This comprehensive analysis ensures you never miss the perfect moment to witness a meteor shower.
Activity Period: January 1-5 | Peak Night: January 3-4 | ZHR: 120 meteors per hour
The Quadrantids kick off the meteor shower calendar each year with a spectacular display. Known for bright fireball meteors, this shower has a very short peak period of only a few hours. The radiant point is located in the constellation Boötes, near the former constellation Quadrans Muralis. Best viewing occurs after midnight when the radiant rises above the horizon.
Activity Period: April 14-30 | Peak Night: April 22-23 | ZHR: 18 meteors per hour
The Lyrids are one of the oldest known meteor showers, with observations dating back 2,700 years. These meteors are debris from Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher and appear to radiate from the constellation Lyra near the bright star Vega. While the ZHR is moderate, the Lyrids occasionally produce surprising outbursts with up to 100 meteors per hour.
Activity Period: April 19 - May 28 | Peak Night: May 6-7 | ZHR: 50 meteors per hour
The Eta Aquariids are one of two meteor showers created by debris from the famous Halley's Comet. This shower favors observers in the Southern Hemisphere, where the radiant point in Aquarius rises higher in the sky. The meteors are known for their speed (66 km/s) and often leave persistent ionized gas trails.
Activity Period: July 17 - August 24 | Peak Night: August 12-13 | ZHR: 100 meteors per hour
The Perseids are the most popular and widely observed meteor shower of the year. Occurring during warm summer nights in the Northern Hemisphere, this shower produces bright meteors with persistent trains. The parent body is Comet Swift-Tuttle, and the radiant point is in the constellation Perseus. The Perseids are known for their reliability and high rates of visible meteors.
Activity Period: October 2 - November 7 | Peak Night: October 21-22 | ZHR: 20 meteors per hour
The Orionids are the second meteor shower from Halley's Comet debris. These fast-moving meteors (66 km/s) appear to radiate from near the constellation Orion's club. The Orionids are known for producing bright meteors and occasional fireballs. Peak activity typically lasts several days, providing multiple viewing opportunities.
Activity Period: November 6-30 | Peak Night: November 17-18 | ZHR: 15 meteors per hour
The Leonids are famous for their spectacular meteor storms that occur approximately every 33 years, producing thousands of meteors per hour. The parent body is Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. These fast meteors (71 km/s) appear to radiate from the constellation Leo. While typical years produce moderate rates, the Leonids remain a favorite among meteor enthusiasts.
Activity Period: December 4-17 | Peak Night: December 13-14 | ZHR: 150 meteors per hour
The Geminids are considered the best meteor shower of the year, reliably producing the highest rates of visible meteors. Unique among major showers, the Geminids originate from an asteroid (3200 Phaethon) rather than a comet. The meteors are slower than other showers, making them easier to observe. They radiate from the constellation Gemini and are known for their colorful displays.
Enter your city name, coordinates, or allow browser geolocation to automatically detect your position. MeteorGazer supports predictions for any location worldwide, taking into account your specific latitude, longitude, and timezone.
Select the date you want to observe meteor showers. Our system analyzes the entire night to find optimal viewing windows, considering astronomical twilight and radiant point altitude throughout the observing period.
Receive detailed predictions including: precise viewing time windows, expected meteor rates, star ratings for visibility quality, moonlight interference analysis, radiant point rise and set times, and peak activity periods.
Find a dark location away from city lights with minimal light pollution. Ideal sites are 30-50 miles from urban areas. Choose locations with unobstructed views of the sky, avoiding tall buildings, trees, and mountains that block the horizon. Check weather forecasts for clear skies - cloud cover will prevent meteor observation.
No telescope or binoculars needed - meteor showers are best observed with the naked eye to maximize field of view. Bring comfortable seating like a reclining chair or blanket. Dress warmly as nighttime temperatures drop significantly. Allow 20-30 minutes for eyes to adapt to darkness. Avoid looking at phones or bright lights during observation.
The best viewing time is typically between midnight and dawn when the radiant point is highest and Earth's rotation carries you into the meteor stream. However, some showers have different optimal times - use MeteorGazer predictions for specific guidance.
Bright moonlight can wash out fainter meteors. New moon periods provide the darkest skies and best viewing conditions. During full moon, wait until the moon sets or view before moonrise. MeteorGazer calculates moon interference for each prediction.
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through debris trails left by comets or asteroids in their orbits around the Sun. As these tiny particles (meteoroids) enter Earth's atmosphere at high speeds (typically 25-70 km/s), friction with air molecules heats them to incandescence, creating the bright streaks we call meteors or "shooting stars".
Each meteor shower is associated with a specific parent body and appears to radiate from a particular point in the sky called the radiant. The shower is typically named after the constellation containing this radiant point. The zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) represents the number of meteors an observer would see per hour under perfect conditions with the radiant at zenith.