Major meteor shower peak dates and ZHR references. Actual visible counts depend on moonlight, clouds, light pollution and observing location.
Moonrise/set, twilight and viewing windows are computed for Taipei time (GMT+8); across East Asia they shift by only tens of minutes.
The Geminids (peaking 2031-12-13) offers the best conditions in 2031: ZHR around 150, with a Waning Crescent (1% illuminated) on the peak night and Minimal moonlight interference.
ZHR (zenithal hourly rate) is a theoretical rate under perfect conditions — radiant at the zenith, no light pollution, limiting magnitude 6.5. With real skies, moonlight and a lower radiant, expect roughly 10-30% of the ZHR.
No. Meteors streak across large areas of sky, so the naked eye is ideal. Get away from city lights, let your eyes adapt to darkness for 20-30 minutes, and watch a wide patch of sky from a comfortable position.
More than most people expect — a full moon can wash out over 70% of visible meteors. Prefer peaks near new moon, or observe after moonset / before moonrise; this page lists the peak-night moon and the moon-free window for every shower.
| Date | Meteor shower | ZHR | Moon on peak night | Moonlight | Radiant direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2031-01-03 | Quadrantids | 120 | Waxing Gibbous 79% | Severe | Northeast |
| 2031-04-22 | Lyrids | 20 | Waxing Crescent 1% | Minimal | Northeast |
| 2031-05-06 | Eta Aquariids | 50 | Waxing Gibbous 100% | Severe | East |
| 2031-07-28 | Delta Aquariids | 25 | Waxing Gibbous 63% | Moderate | South |
| 2031-08-12 | Perseids | 100 | Waning Crescent 25% | Low | Northeast |
| 2031-10-21 | Orionids | 20 | Waxing Crescent 32% | Low | Southeast |
| 2031-11-17 | Leonids | 15 | Waxing Crescent 10% | Minimal | East |
| 2031-12-13 | Geminids | 150 | Waning Crescent 1% | Minimal | East |
| 2031-12-22 | Ursids | 10 | Waxing Gibbous 68% | Moderate | North |
Active period 12/28–1/12 · ZHR 120 · Parent body 2003 EH1 · 41 km/s · Radiant direction Northeast · Best hours Pre-dawn hours
The moon sets around 02:42, leaving dark skies from then until dawn. Moon-free dark window: 02:42–05:17
The radiant sits in northern Boötes (the obsolete Quadrans Muralis) and only rises after midnight, climbing highest before dawn. The peak lasts barely 6 hours, so timing the right night matters more than for any other shower.
Active period 4/14–4/30 · ZHR 20 · Parent body C/1861 G1 (Thatcher) · 49 km/s · Radiant direction Northeast · Best hours After midnight
The peak night is essentially moon-free — excellent dark-sky conditions. Moon-free dark window: 19:38–04:05
The radiant lies near Vega, rising around 22:00 and climbing through the early hours. Rates are modest but the Lyrids occasionally produce bright fireballs, and April nights are comfortable for observing.
Active period 4/19–5/28 · ZHR 50 · Parent body 1P/Halley · 66 km/s · Radiant direction East · Best hours Pre-dawn hours
The moon is above the horizon all night (about 100% illuminated). Keep it behind you, or try nights before or after the peak with less moonlight.
Debris from Halley's Comet. The radiant only rises in the east around 3 a.m., leaving a 1–2 hour window before dawn — the lower your latitude the better. Meteors are fast and often leave persistent trains.
Active period 7/12–8/23 · ZHR 25 · Parent body 96P/Machholz · 41 km/s · Radiant direction South · Best hours After midnight
The moon sets around 00:06, leaving dark skies from then until dawn. Moon-free dark window: 00:06–03:54
A long, flat peak that overlaps the early Perseids. The radiant sits in the southern sky and is best after midnight; meteors are faint, so a genuinely dark site matters more than usual.
Active period 7/17–8/24 · ZHR 100 · Parent body 109P/Swift-Tuttle · 59 km/s · Radiant direction Northeast · Best hours Late evening to dawn (best pre-dawn)
The moon does not rise until about 01:05, leaving dark skies earlier in the night. Moon-free dark window: 19:54–01:05
One of the "big three" showers and the most comfortable to watch, on warm summer nights. Activity picks up from 21–22h and peaks before dawn as the radiant climbs; bright meteors with long trains and fireballs are common.
Active period 10/2–11/7 · ZHR 20 · Parent body 1P/Halley · 66 km/s · Radiant direction Southeast · Best hours After midnight
The moon sets around 21:36, leaving dark skies from then until dawn. Moon-free dark window: 21:36–04:37
Also from Halley's Comet: fast meteors that often leave glowing trains. Wait until Orion is well up in the southeast after midnight; the hours before dawn are best, and autumn nights are pleasant for a trip out of town.
Active period 11/6–11/30 · ZHR 15 · Parent body 55P/Tempel-Tuttle · 71 km/s · Radiant direction East · Best hours Pre-dawn hours
The peak night is essentially moon-free — excellent dark-sky conditions. Moon-free dark window: 19:26–04:52
The fastest meteors of the year (71 km/s), with frequent bright fireballs. The radiant rises around midnight and the pre-dawn hours are best. Every ~33 years, near the parent comet's return, the Leonids can storm.
Active period 12/4–12/17 · ZHR 150 · Parent body 3200 Phaethon · 35 km/s · Radiant direction East · Best hours All night from nightfall
The peak night is essentially moon-free — excellent dark-sky conditions. Moon-free dark window: 18:27–05:08
The year's richest and most reliable shower. Meteors appear from about 20:00 and the radiant passes near the zenith around midnight; medium-speed, often bright meteors make it ideal for beginners. Dress warmly — December nights get cold.
Active period 12/17–12/26 · ZHR 10 · Parent body 8P/Tuttle · 33 km/s · Radiant direction North · Best hours All night from nightfall
The moon sets around 01:27, leaving dark skies from then until dawn. Moon-free dark window: 01:27–05:13
The radiant in Ursa Minor is circumpolar, so the shower can be watched at any hour of the night. Rates are low — best treated as a bonus while out around the winter solstice.
Related tools: Stargazing & Moon Viewing Score · Moon Phases · Astro Events