Have you ever made a wish on a shooting star? You’ve probably done it at some point. star showera spectacular celestial event that occurs several times throughout the year, although they cannot always be seen clearly.
This 2024 there will be various opportunities to enjoy the meteor showers. Below, we discover the most important ones and we detail them On what dates and how to enjoy this magical event.
Star shower or meteor shower?
Although we popularly know them as meteor showers, in reality we should talk about meteor showers. A meteor is a ray of light in the sky which occurs when a meteoroid passes through the Earth’s atmosphere at high speed.
The meteoroids are particles of matter They can vary in size from a speck of dust to large rocks. The smallest ones (which are the majority) are “destroyed” when they come into contact with the atmosphere, while the largest and most solid ones can reach the surface of the earth (the so-called meteorites).
The meteor showers They occur when the Earth passes through a trail of debris left by a comet, which causes a large number of meteors to be seen in the sky.
What is a shooting star?
What we know as shooting star is nothing more than the bright light trail that we see in the sky when a meteoroid enters the earth’s atmosphere at high speed.
Friction due to the high speed at which it passes through the atmosphere heats the meteoroid and causes it to glow, giving it that moving star appearance that we see in the sky.
Star showers 2024
The star showers They are named after the constellation in which meteors appear to originate. Throughout the year, there are various meteor showerssome with many meteors per hour (even hundreds) and others with fewer.
The moon phase greatly affects the visibility of the meteor shower. During the full moonthe sky is much brighter, which can make shooting stars difficult to see clearly. On the contrary, during the new moonwhen the sky is darkest, the meteor shower visibility will be better.
These are the most relevant meteor showers of 2024:
Meteor showers 2024NamePeriodBest dayQuadrantidsDecember 28 – January 12January 4LyridsApril 16 – 25April 22Eta aquaridsApril 19 – May 28May 5Delta aquaridsJuly 12 – August 23July 31PerseidsJuly 17 – August 24August 12Draconids6 – 10 October8 OctoberOrionidsOctober 2 – November 7October 21Leonidas6 – 30 November17 NovemberGeminidsDecember 4 – December 17December 14UrsidsDecember 17-26December 22
Quadrantid meteor shower 2024
The january meteor shower It is that of the Quadrantids. It is, along with those of the Perseids in August and the Geminids in December, the one with the highest number of meteors per hour, more than 120. They can be seen looking towards the Northeast, to the constellation of Boyero (El Pastor), next to the Big Dipper.
When is the Quadrantid meteor shower 2024: The Quadrantid shower occurs between December 28, 2023 and January 12, 2024, although the best time is on January 3 around 10:00. The Moon will be close to the last quarter, so visibility will be average.
Lyrid meteor shower 2024
The April star showerthat of the Lyrids, can be seen from the northern hemisphere (in the south too, but at a slower pace). It is not one of the most productive of the year, it is estimated that about 20 meteors can be seen per hour, although some years this rate increases.
When is the Lyrid meteor shower?: The Lyrid rain can be seen between April 16 and 25 and the moment of maximum activity occurs on April 22 around 9:00. The proximity of the full Moon makes its observation difficult this year.
Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower 2024
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower occurs between April and May. Although they can also be observed in the northern hemispherethey look much better in places close to the tropics, such as the Canary Islandsand in the southern hemisphere.
When is the Eta Aquarid meteor shower?: The Eta Aquarid rain can be seen between April 19 and May 28 and the moment of maximum activity occurs on May 5 around 11:00 p.m. On this day, the proximity of the new Moon will facilitate its observation.
Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower 2024
The Delta Aquarid meteor shower occurs between July and August and is most visible in the southern hemispherealthough in the north it can also be seen with lower activity.
When is the Delta Aquarid meteor shower?: The Delta Aquarids shower can be seen between July 12 and August 23 and the time of maximum activity occurs on the nights of July 30 and 31. Since the Moon is in its last quarter, it will not hinder its visibility.
Perseid meteor shower 2024
The August meteor showerknown as Tears of Saint Lawrence or Perseid rain, is perhaps the most popular. And it is one of the most active, with more than 100 meteors per hour, and it can be seen from all over the world. northern hemisphere (also from the south, although worse).
When is the Perseid meteor shower?: The Perseid rain can be seen between July 17 and August 24 and the moment of maximum activity occurs on August 12 between 3 and 6 p.m. The proximity to the Moon in its first quarter will not favor its visibility this year.
Draconid meteor shower 2024
The first meteor shower of october is that of the Draconids, a discreet rain that is best seen from the northern hemisphere.
When is the Draconid meteor shower?: The Draconid rain can be seen between October 6 and 10 and the moment of maximum activity occurs on October 8 around 3:00 p.m. The proximity of the crescent will allow you to see them well.
Orionid meteor shower 2024
The second meteor shower of octoberthat of the Orionids, can be seen from both hemispheres.
When is the Orionid meteor shower?: The Orionid shower can be seen between October 2 and November 7 and the time of maximum activity occurs on October 21. As it occurs between the full Moon and the last quarter, its visibility will be difficult this year.
Leonid meteor shower 2024
The november meteor shower It is that of the Leonids and, despite being a modest shower, it can be seen from both the southern and northern hemispheres.
When is the Leonid meteor shower?: The Leonid rain can be seen between November 6 and 30 and the moment of maximum activity occurs on November 17 at around 5 am. Its proximity to the full Moon will make its observation difficult this year.
Geminid meteor shower 2024
The first meteor shower of decemberthe Geminids, is one of the most active of the year (with more than 120 meteors per hour) and can be seen from the northern hemisphere.
When is the Geminid meteor shower?: The Geminid shower can be seen between December 4 and 17 and the time of maximum activity occurs between December 14 and 15. Its proximity to the full Moon makes its observation unfavorable this year.
Ursid meteor shower 2024
The second meteor shower of decemberthat of the Ursids, is more visible from the northern hemisphere.
When is the Ursid meteor shower?: The Ursid rain can be seen between December 17 and 26 and the moment of maximum activity occurs on December 27. The proximity of the full Moon makes its observation difficult this year.