5 Meteor Showers To Catch Before 2018 Ends

MICHIGAN — Ready to mark your calendars for some stargazing? The skies have five different shows on display before 2018 ends. Each is dependent upon weather, but with this many opportunities, you and your little astronomers should easily catch a glimpse of these displays.

If you can catch only one of them, make it the Geminids in mid-December. It is typically the best of the year, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors an hour at its peak.

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Here’s a look at what’s ahead:

Oct. 21: The Orionids peak Sunday, but we’ve got your full guide on how to see them starting now. While the Orionids are typically modest in the number of meteors they produce — between 20 and 30 shooting stars — the shower is one of the most beautiful of the year because they are known for their brightness and speed, according to NASA.

Nov. 5-6: The Taurids meteor shower is long running, from Sept. 7-Dec. 10, and is unusual in that it consists of two separate streams — the first produced by dust grains left behind by Asteroid 2004 TG10, and the second by debris from Comet 2P Encke. It’s a minor show, producing only about 5 or 10 meteors an hour, and is best viewed after midnight. The meteors originate from the constellation Taurus, but you should be able to see them anywhere in the sky.

Nov. 17-18: The Leonid meteor shower runs from Nov. 6-30. It’s an average shower offering up to 15 meteors an hour at its peak, but the Leonids has a cyclonic peak every 33 years where hundreds of shooting stars can be seen. The last time that happened was in 2001. Though not as prolific as some other meteor showers, the meteors are extremely fast, moving at a speed of about 44 miles per second, which increases the chances of fireballs. The shower originates from the constellation Leo, but meteors can be seen from any point in the sky. It is produced by dust grains left behind by the comet Tempel-Tuttle, discovered in 1865. The best viewing time is in the early morning, and skies should be fairly dark thanks to a waxing gibbous moon.

Dec. 13-14: The Geminid meteor shower, which originates from the constellation Gemini, is typically the best of the year, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors an hour at its peak. The shower runs from Dec. 7-17, and is produced by debris left behind by the asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, discovered in 1982. Viewing conditions should be excellent because the first quarter moon will set shortly after midnight, leaving dark skies. The peak viewing times are in the early morning hours, but the Geminids also are active before midnight.

Dec. 21-22: The year’s final meteor shower is a minor one, and it’s often overlooked. The Ursids meteor shower, which runs Dec. 17-25, produces about 5 to 10 meteors an hour, although occasional outbursts have produced 25 or more an hour. A full moon will wash out all but the brightest, however. The Ursids originate from the constellation Ursa Minor, and are produced by dust grains left behind by the comet Tuttle discovered in 1790. The best viewing times are after midnight.

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