Bruce McClure and Deborah Byrd APR 16, 2013
EarthSky’s meteor shower guide for 2013
2013 Quadrantid meteor by Susan Jensen
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EarthSky Facebook friend Terje Canvarro in Tarzana, California caught this meteor in the light of a bright moon during the Perseid meteor in August 2012. For the 2013 Lyrids, the moon will be up most of the night. You might catch a meteor in bright moonlight, or watch in the moon-free hours before dawn on April 22.
Lyrid meteor shower begins April 16, 2013. Peak before dawn April 22.
It’s here! The Lyrid meteor shower lasts from about April 16 to 25, so, anytime now, you have an opportunity to see a Lyrid meteor, April’s shooting stars. Lyrid meteors tend to be bright and often leave trails. About 10-20 meteors per hour at peak can be expected around the peak morning on April 22, 2013. Plus, the Lyrids are known for uncommon surges that can sometimes bring the rate up to 100 per hour. Those rare outbursts are not easy to predict, but they’re one of the reasons the tantalizing Lyrids are worth checking out. The radiant for this shower is in the constellation Lyra, which rises in the northeast at about 10 p.m. In 2013, the waxing gibbous moon lights up the nighttime until the wee hours of the morning. However, the greatest number of Lyrid meteors commonly fall in the dark hours just before dawn, so trying watching this meteor shower after moonset and before dawn on April 22.Click here to find out when the moon sets in your sky.
Tips for watching meteors
Most important: a dark sky. Here’s the first thing – the main thing – you need to know to become as proficient as the experts at watching meteors. That is, to watch meteors, you need a dark sky. It’s possible to glimpse meteors from the suburbs. But, to see the most meteors possible, avoid city lights.
Most important: a dark sky. Here’s the first thing – the main thing – you need to know to become as proficient as the experts at watching meteors. That is, to watch meteors, you need a dark sky. It’s possible to glimpse meteors from the suburbs. But, to see the most meteors possible, avoid city lights.
Know your dates and times. You also need to be looking on the right date, at the right time of night. Meteor showers occur over a range of dates, because they stem from Earth’s own movement through space. As we orbit the sun, we cross “meteor streams.” These streams of icy particles in space come from comets moving in orbit around the sun. Comets are fragile icy bodies that litter their orbits with debris. When this cometary debris enters our atmosphere, it vaporizes due to friction with the air. If moonlight or city lights don’t obscure the view, we on Earth see the falling, vaporizing particles as meteors. The Lyrids take place between about April 16 and 25. The peak morning in 2013 should be April 22, but you might catch Lyrid meteors on the nights around that date as well.
Where to go and what to bring. You can comfortably watch meteors from many places, assuming you have a dark sky: a rural back yard or deck, the hood of your car, the side of a road. State parks and national parks are good bets, but be sure they have a wide open viewing area, like a field; you don’t want to be stuck in the midst of a forest on meteor night. If you want to bring along equipment to make yourself more comfortable, consider a blanket or reclining lawn chair, a thermos with a hot drink, binoculars for gazing at the stars. Be sure to dress warmly enough, even in spring or summer, especially in the hours before dawn.
Are the predictions reliable? Although astronomers have tried to publish exact predictions in recent years, meteor showers remain notoriously unpredictable. Your best bet is to go outside at the times we suggest, and plan to spend at least an hour, if not a whole night, reclining comfortably while looking up at the sky.
EarthSky Facebook friend Timothy O’Brien in Michigan wrote, “Last years Lyrid meteor shower (2012) with my children, the skies were clear, Jupiter was bright and setting, a great night… what star gazing is all about, even without the great display (which we saw plenty!) would have been an awesome night.. :)”
More meteor showers in 2013
In 2013, moonlight will not pose much of a problem for the May Eta Aquarids, the August Perseids, October Draconids and November South Taurids. There’s moon-free viewing time for the January Quadrantids, April Lyrids and July Delta Aquarids. The full moon gets in the way of the November Leonids. Our almanac page provides links for access to the moonrise and moonset times in your sky.
May 5, 2013 Eta Aquarids
This shower has a relatively broad maximum but is expected to show the greatest number of meteors before dawn on May 5. The waning crescent moon should not really intrude too greatly on this year’s Eta Aquarid show. At northerly latitudes – for example, in the northern U.S. and Canada, or northern Europe – the meteor numbers are few and far between. In the southern half of the U.S., 10 to 20 meteors per hour might be visible in a dark sky. Farther south – for example, in the Southern Hemisphere – the meteor numbers increase dramatically, perhaps two to three times more Eta Aquarid meteors streaking the southern skies. For the most part, this is a predawn shower. The radiant for this shower appears in the east-southeast at about 4 a.m. local time (the time at all locations) and the hour or two before dawn offers the most meteors. The broad peak to this shower means that some meteors may fly in the dark hour before dawn for a few days before and after the predicted optimal date. The most meteors will probably rain down on May 5, in the dark hours before dawn.
July 29 and 30, 2013 Delta Aquarids
Like the Eta Aquarids, this shower favors the Southern Hemisphere, and the tropical latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. The slight waning gibbous or last quarter moon will obtrude on this year’s Delta Aquarid meteors. The meteors appear to radiate from the southern part of the sky, near the star Skat (Delta Aquarii). The maximum hourly rate can reach 15-20 meteors in a dark sky, but these rather faint meteors will have difficultly overcoming the moonlight this year. The absence of the moon in 2014 will make next year a favorable one for watching this late July shower. Unlike many meteor showers, the Delta Aquarids don’t have a very definite peak, despite the dates given above. Instead, these medium-speed meteors ramble along fairly steadily throughout late July and early August. An hour or two before dawn usually presents the most favorable view of the Delta Aquarids. Try watching in late July – but also early August, when the light of the waning crescent moon will be less obtrusive.
Like the Eta Aquarids, this shower favors the Southern Hemisphere, and the tropical latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. The slight waning gibbous or last quarter moon will obtrude on this year’s Delta Aquarid meteors. The meteors appear to radiate from the southern part of the sky, near the star Skat (Delta Aquarii). The maximum hourly rate can reach 15-20 meteors in a dark sky, but these rather faint meteors will have difficultly overcoming the moonlight this year. The absence of the moon in 2014 will make next year a favorable one for watching this late July shower. Unlike many meteor showers, the Delta Aquarids don’t have a very definite peak, despite the dates given above. Instead, these medium-speed meteors ramble along fairly steadily throughout late July and early August. An hour or two before dawn usually presents the most favorable view of the Delta Aquarids. Try watching in late July – but also early August, when the light of the waning crescent moon will be less obtrusive.
August 10/11, 11/12, and 12/13, 2013 Perseids
Meteors are typically best after midnight, and luckily in 2013, the waxing crescent moon will set in the evening. That means late night until dawn will provide dark skies for the Perseid meteor shower, one of the best meteor showers of the year for the Northern Hemisphere.You can get moonset times via this custom sunset calendar. The Perseids are typically fast and bright meteors. They radiate from a point in the constellation Perseus the Hero. You don’t need to know Perseus to watch the shower because the meteors appear in all parts of the sky. The Perseids are considered by many people to be the year’s best shower, and often peak at 50 or more meteors per hour in a dark sky. The Perseids tend to strengthen in number as late night deepens into midnight, and typically produce the most meteors in the wee hours before dawn. These meteors are often bright and frequently leave persistent trains. Starting in late evening on the nights of August 10/11, 11/12 and 12/13, the Perseid meteors will streak across these short summer nights from late night until dawn, with little to no interference from the waxing crescent moon. Plus the moon will be near the planet Saturn in the evening hours, giving a colorful prelude to late-night Perseid show.
Meteors are typically best after midnight, and luckily in 2013, the waxing crescent moon will set in the evening. That means late night until dawn will provide dark skies for the Perseid meteor shower, one of the best meteor showers of the year for the Northern Hemisphere.You can get moonset times via this custom sunset calendar. The Perseids are typically fast and bright meteors. They radiate from a point in the constellation Perseus the Hero. You don’t need to know Perseus to watch the shower because the meteors appear in all parts of the sky. The Perseids are considered by many people to be the year’s best shower, and often peak at 50 or more meteors per hour in a dark sky. The Perseids tend to strengthen in number as late night deepens into midnight, and typically produce the most meteors in the wee hours before dawn. These meteors are often bright and frequently leave persistent trains. Starting in late evening on the nights of August 10/11, 11/12 and 12/13, the Perseid meteors will streak across these short summer nights from late night until dawn, with little to no interference from the waxing crescent moon. Plus the moon will be near the planet Saturn in the evening hours, giving a colorful prelude to late-night Perseid show.
October 7, 2013 Draconids
The radiant point for the Draconid meteor shower almost coincides with the head of the constellation Draco the Dragon in the northern sky. That’s why the Draconids are best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere. The Draconid shower is a real oddity, in that the radiant point stands highest in the sky as darkness falls. Unlike many meteor showers, the Draconids are more likely to fly in the evening hours than in the morning hours after midnight. This shower is usually a sleeper, producing only a handful of languid meteors per hour in most years. But watch out if the Dragon awakes! In rare instances, fiery Draco has been known to spew forth many hundreds of meteors in a single hour. The thin waxing crescent moon won’t cast enough moonlight to interfere with the show, so try watching at nightfall and early evening on October 7 and 8.
The radiant point for the Draconid meteor shower almost coincides with the head of the constellation Draco the Dragon in the northern sky. That’s why the Draconids are best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere. The Draconid shower is a real oddity, in that the radiant point stands highest in the sky as darkness falls. Unlike many meteor showers, the Draconids are more likely to fly in the evening hours than in the morning hours after midnight. This shower is usually a sleeper, producing only a handful of languid meteors per hour in most years. But watch out if the Dragon awakes! In rare instances, fiery Draco has been known to spew forth many hundreds of meteors in a single hour. The thin waxing crescent moon won’t cast enough moonlight to interfere with the show, so try watching at nightfall and early evening on October 7 and 8.
October 21, 2013, before dawn. Orionids
This is not a favorable year for watching the Orionid meteor shower because of the bright waning gibbous moon. On a dark, moonless night, the Orionids exhibit a maximum of about 10 to 20 meteors per hour. These fast-moving meteors occasionally leave persistent trains and bright fireballs, so you might see a few Orionids in the moon-drenched skies. If you trace these meteors backward, they seem to come from the Club of the famous constellation Orion the Hunter. You might know Orion’s bright, ruddy star Betelgeuse. The radiant is north of Betelgeuse. The Orionids have a broad and irregular peak that isn’t easy to predict. More meteors tend to fly after midnight, and the Orionids are typically at their best in the wee hours before dawn. The best viewing for the Orionids in 2013 will probably be before dawn on October 21. Try the days before and after that, too, sticking to the midnight-to-dawn hours..
This is not a favorable year for watching the Orionid meteor shower because of the bright waning gibbous moon. On a dark, moonless night, the Orionids exhibit a maximum of about 10 to 20 meteors per hour. These fast-moving meteors occasionally leave persistent trains and bright fireballs, so you might see a few Orionids in the moon-drenched skies. If you trace these meteors backward, they seem to come from the Club of the famous constellation Orion the Hunter. You might know Orion’s bright, ruddy star Betelgeuse. The radiant is north of Betelgeuse. The Orionids have a broad and irregular peak that isn’t easy to predict. More meteors tend to fly after midnight, and the Orionids are typically at their best in the wee hours before dawn. The best viewing for the Orionids in 2013 will probably be before dawn on October 21. Try the days before and after that, too, sticking to the midnight-to-dawn hours..
November 4/5, 2013, late night November 4 until dawn November 5 South Taurids
The meteoroid streams that feed the South (and North) Taurids are very spread out and dissipated. That means the Taurids are extremely long lasting (September 25 to November 25) but usually don’t offer more than about 7 meteors per hour. That’ll be true even on the South Taurids’ expected peak night of November 4 (before dawn November 5), 2012. However, the Taurids are well-known for their high percentage of fireballs – exceptionally bright meteors. The other Taurid shower – the North Taurids – should add a few more meteors to the mix, but the forecast calls for the North Taurid shower to be raining down the most meteors a week from now, or in the second weekend of November 2013. Luckily, the thin waxing crescent moon will set at early evening, leaving dark skies for the peak night of the South Taurid meteor shower. The South Taurids are expected to produce the most meteors in the wee hours just after midnight on November 5. Remember, even a single bright meteor can make your night!
The meteoroid streams that feed the South (and North) Taurids are very spread out and dissipated. That means the Taurids are extremely long lasting (September 25 to November 25) but usually don’t offer more than about 7 meteors per hour. That’ll be true even on the South Taurids’ expected peak night of November 4 (before dawn November 5), 2012. However, the Taurids are well-known for their high percentage of fireballs – exceptionally bright meteors. The other Taurid shower – the North Taurids – should add a few more meteors to the mix, but the forecast calls for the North Taurid shower to be raining down the most meteors a week from now, or in the second weekend of November 2013. Luckily, the thin waxing crescent moon will set at early evening, leaving dark skies for the peak night of the South Taurid meteor shower. The South Taurids are expected to produce the most meteors in the wee hours just after midnight on November 5. Remember, even a single bright meteor can make your night!
November 11/12, 2013, late night until dawn North Taurids
The bright waxing gibbous moon will bleach out all but the brighter meteors during the evening and wee morning hours. But the moon will set in the wee hours after midnight, providing lots of predawn darkness for watching this shower. This shower is long-lasting (October 12 – December 2) but modest, and the peak number is forecast at about 7 meteors per hour. Typically, you see the maximum numbers at around midnight to 1 a.m., when Taurus the Bull moves nearly overhead. This year, you may want to wait till after moonset to view these rather slow-moving but sometimes bright North Taurid meteors. But you might even see some Taurid fireballs – even in the moonlight. The greatest numbers of North Taurid meteors can be expected just after midnight on the morning of November 12. But the days before and after that should produce some meteors as well..
The bright waxing gibbous moon will bleach out all but the brighter meteors during the evening and wee morning hours. But the moon will set in the wee hours after midnight, providing lots of predawn darkness for watching this shower. This shower is long-lasting (October 12 – December 2) but modest, and the peak number is forecast at about 7 meteors per hour. Typically, you see the maximum numbers at around midnight to 1 a.m., when Taurus the Bull moves nearly overhead. This year, you may want to wait till after moonset to view these rather slow-moving but sometimes bright North Taurid meteors. But you might even see some Taurid fireballs – even in the moonlight. The greatest numbers of North Taurid meteors can be expected just after midnight on the morning of November 12. But the days before and after that should produce some meteors as well..
Leonid meteor shower peak: late night November 16 until dawn November 17
Unfortunately, the full moon makes 2013 an unfavorable year for watching the 2013 Leonid meteor shower. Radiating from the constellation Leo the Lion, the famous Leonid meteor shower has produced some of the greatest meteor storms in history – at least one in living memory, 1966 – with rates as high as thousands of meteors per minute during a span of 15 minutes on the morning of November 17, 1966. Indeed, on that beautiful night in 1966, the meteors did, briefly, fall like rain. Some who witnessed the 1966 Leonid meteor storm said they felt as if they needed to grip the ground, so strong was the impression of Earth plowing along through space, fording the meteoroid stream. The meteors, after all, were all streaming from a single point in the sky – the radiant point – in this case in the constellation Leo the Lion. Leonid meteor storms sometimes recur in cycles of 33 to 34 years, but the Leonids around the turn of the century – while wonderful for many observers – did not match the shower of 1966. And, in most years, the Lion whimpers rather than roars, producing a maximum of perhaps 10-15 meteors per hour on a dark night. Like many meteor showers, the Leonids ordinarily pick up steam after midnight and display the greatest meteor numbers just before dawn. In 2013, however, the full moon will shine all night long, leaving no dark time for viewing this year’s Leonid meteor shower. The peak morning will be November 17 or 18.
Unfortunately, the full moon makes 2013 an unfavorable year for watching the 2013 Leonid meteor shower. Radiating from the constellation Leo the Lion, the famous Leonid meteor shower has produced some of the greatest meteor storms in history – at least one in living memory, 1966 – with rates as high as thousands of meteors per minute during a span of 15 minutes on the morning of November 17, 1966. Indeed, on that beautiful night in 1966, the meteors did, briefly, fall like rain. Some who witnessed the 1966 Leonid meteor storm said they felt as if they needed to grip the ground, so strong was the impression of Earth plowing along through space, fording the meteoroid stream. The meteors, after all, were all streaming from a single point in the sky – the radiant point – in this case in the constellation Leo the Lion. Leonid meteor storms sometimes recur in cycles of 33 to 34 years, but the Leonids around the turn of the century – while wonderful for many observers – did not match the shower of 1966. And, in most years, the Lion whimpers rather than roars, producing a maximum of perhaps 10-15 meteors per hour on a dark night. Like many meteor showers, the Leonids ordinarily pick up steam after midnight and display the greatest meteor numbers just before dawn. In 2013, however, the full moon will shine all night long, leaving no dark time for viewing this year’s Leonid meteor shower. The peak morning will be November 17 or 18.
December 13/14, 2013, mid-evening until dawn Geminids
One of the finest meteors showers in the Northern Hemisphere, except that the bright waxing gibbous moon will obtrude in 2013. The Geminid meteors are often bright, so a decent number of meteors may be able to overcome the harsh moonlight. Or wait till aftermoonset, watching this shower from moonset till dawn.
One of the finest meteors showers in the Northern Hemisphere, except that the bright waxing gibbous moon will obtrude in 2013. The Geminid meteors are often bright, so a decent number of meteors may be able to overcome the harsh moonlight. Or wait till aftermoonset, watching this shower from moonset till dawn.
Animation Credit: NASA MSFC
Peak dates are derived from data published in the Observer’s Handbook by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and Guy Ottewell’s Astronomical Calendar.
Earlier in 2013:
January 3, 2013 in the wee hours before dawnQuadrantids
When we say January 3, we mean in the wee hours before dawn, not that night. Unfortunately, the bright waning gibbous moon lights up the early morning hours before dawn, the best time of night to watch for these meteors. Although the Quadrantids can produce over 100 meteors per hour, the sharp peak only lasts for a few hours, and doesn’t always come at an opportune time. In other words, you have to be in the right spot on Earth to view this meteor shower in all its splendor. If this year’s forecast proves correct, western North America and the islands of the North Pacific Ocean might enjoy the most favorable location. However, meteor showers are notorious for defying predictions. From the eastern and northern parts of Asia, you might try after midnight and before dawn on January 4, as well, just in case the peak comes later than expected. This shower is worth a try at northerly latitudes all around the globe. Face the general direction of north-northeast, but take in as wide an expanse of sky as possible. Watch from about 2 a.m. until dawn.
When we say January 3, we mean in the wee hours before dawn, not that night. Unfortunately, the bright waning gibbous moon lights up the early morning hours before dawn, the best time of night to watch for these meteors. Although the Quadrantids can produce over 100 meteors per hour, the sharp peak only lasts for a few hours, and doesn’t always come at an opportune time. In other words, you have to be in the right spot on Earth to view this meteor shower in all its splendor. If this year’s forecast proves correct, western North America and the islands of the North Pacific Ocean might enjoy the most favorable location. However, meteor showers are notorious for defying predictions. From the eastern and northern parts of Asia, you might try after midnight and before dawn on January 4, as well, just in case the peak comes later than expected. This shower is worth a try at northerly latitudes all around the globe. Face the general direction of north-northeast, but take in as wide an expanse of sky as possible. Watch from about 2 a.m. until dawn.
2013 Quadrantid meteor by EarthSky Facebook friend Susan Jensen in Odessa, Washington.
This Geminid meteor is seen coming straight from its radiant point, which is near the two brightest stars in Gemini, Castor and Pollux. Photo taken on the night of December 12-13, 2012 by EarthSky Facebook friend Mike O’Neal in Oklahoma. He said the 2012 Geminid meteor shower was one of the best meteor shows he’s ever seen!
Taurid meteor seen by EarthSky Facebook friend Forrest Boone on November 9, 2012 over North Carolina. Thanks, Forrest!
The Draconid meteor shower put on a fabulous display in October of last year (2011). European observers saw over 600 meteors per hour. Image copyright: Frank Martin Ingilæ. Used with permission. Click here to expand.
EarthSky Facebook friend Dave Walker caught this 2012 Perseid meteor on the morning of August 12, 2012.
A bright Perseid meteor seen by astrophotographer Stefano De Rosa this morning (August 12) on the island of Isola D’Elba in Italy. See more of Stefano’s 202 Perseid meteor photos here.
EarthSky Facebook friend Brian Emfinger captured this amazing view early this morning (August 12). Not sure if this photo is stacked – I suspect so. Perseid meteors tend to cross the sky one by one. But this photo captures what you can expect to see during a burst of meteors – when several at once cross the sky – or during a particularly rich meteor display. Fantastic image Brian! Thank you.
An Eta Aquarid meteor streaks over northern Georgia on April 29, 2012. Image credit: NASA/MSFC/B. Cooke
Image Credit: Jimmy Westlake
Remember, meteor showers are like fishing. You go, you enjoy nature … and sometimes you catch something.
Bottom line: The first meteor shower of 2013 is the Quadrantid meteor shower, peaking on the morning of January 3, 2013. That’s the morning of January 3 – not the evening. Have fun!
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