Long regarded as signs of promise and good fortune, it is still an amazing sight to see a shooting star. Their beauty lies in their transience: somehow, it is far more magical to see something that is visible to the human eye for only a second, or less, and will never be seen again. Rarely, however, does one get to see a single meteor burning up on entering the Earth's atmosphere; you are far more likely to see shooting stars during one of the annual meteor showers. These occur at various times during the year, and are frequently named after the constellation from which they seemingly appear. Hopefully, with a clear sky and good vision, you will catch at least some of the magic during one of the periods below. Good luck.
The Quadrantids
Over 100 meteors an hour radiate in the northern part of Bootes at the peak of the shower, any time between the 3rd and 4th of January.
The Lyrids
Three showers occur around Lyra, but the two more prolific are the April Lyrids, which peak at twenty meteors an hour near to Vega (the brightest star in Lyra) on the 21st or 22nd of April each year, and the June Lyrids, which have a maximum of only eight meteors per hour on the 16th of June.
The Eta Aquarids
Early morning around the 5th May is a good time to look out for the twenty or so meteors an hour at the peak of this shower, in Aquarius. (The star Eta Aquarius, around which the meteors are most likely to radiate, is at the base of the upper 'cup' on the constellation map provided on this site - above the link or bridge between the two cups.)
The Delta Aquarids
Appearing from around the star Delta Aquarius in Aquarius, just south of the celestial equator, the Aquarids peak at 35 meteors an hour on the 28th of July. (Delta Aquarius, I believe, is the bright star shown just off the edge of the constellation map on this site.)
The Perseids
The best known meteor shower of the year, and usually with fairly good visibility. Around the 12th or 13th of August, expect to see a maximum of sixty meteors an hour between the constellations Perseus and Cassiopeia (but closer to Perseus).
The Orionids
Up to thirty meteors an hour can be seen around Orion at the peak of this shower on the 21st October each year. Look around where Orion wields his club!
The Taurids
Twelve meteors an hour race between Taurus' and Cetus' heads some time between the 3rd and 8th November - depending on which astronomer you prefer to believe...
The Leonids
Originating around Leo's sickle-shaped mane, yet usually appearing radiant somewhere completely different in the sky, this shower reaches its full potential around the 17th or 18th November, yet with no more than ten meteors per hour.
The Geminids
Radiating from around Castor in Gemini comes a maximum of fifty meteors an hour on or around the 14th of December each year.
The Ursids
The 22nd December sees about fifteen meteors per hour around the body of Ursa minor.
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