About meteor shower countdowns
When is the next meteor shower? The countdowns above track the year's two reliable giants: the Perseids, peaking around August 12–13 with up to 100 meteors an hour on warm summer nights, and the Geminids around December 13–14 — the strongest shower of all at up to 150 an hour.
Meteor showers are wonderfully democratic astronomy: no telescope, no experience, no cost. Find dark sky, lie back, let your eyes adapt for twenty minutes, and watch debris from ancient comets streak in at up to 59 kilometers per second. The Perseids come from comet Swift–Tuttle; the Geminids, unusually, from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon — which is why their meteors burn slower, brighter and more colorful.
The real variables are moonlight and weather: a bright Moon washes out faint meteors, so some years are far better than others — and the nights either side of the peak are always worth trying too. Each shower page has full viewing tips; pin them to your own page and never miss a peak night again.
FAQ
When is the next meteor shower?
The next major peak is shown first in the grid above — the Perseids peak around August 12–13 and the Geminids around December 13–14 every year.
What is the best meteor shower of the year?
By raw numbers, the Geminids (up to 150/hour) — but the warm-weather Perseids are the most watched and most beloved.
Do I need a telescope to see meteors?
No — meteors streak across wide swaths of sky, so naked eyes are actually best. Dark skies and patience beat any equipment.
What time should I watch?
Generally after 10 PM, with the hours before dawn best — the Geminids are the exception, active from as early as 9 PM.