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If you are a beginner or would like to learn a bit more about meteor and how to find them, you can go to the Meteor Shower For Beginners Page
The ZHR (Zero Hourly Rate) refers to the expected number of meteors that will be seen in an hour under ideal conditions such as a moonless sky without any interfering artificial illumination. Under most conditions less can be expected but surprises are always possible.
The Quadrantid meteor shower will be appearing in 2005 from 1 to 5 of January and will peak around January 4, 2005. Its radiant is at R.A. 15hr 20 mi (230 degrees) and declination +49 degrees.
The closest bright star is Gamma Bootis and the ZHR is 120. The Moon will be above the horzion almost the entire night making the metero shower difficult to see this year.
Additional information on the Quadrantids
The Lyrid meteor shower will be appearing in 2005 from the 16 to the 25 of April and will peak around April 22, 2005. Its radiant is at R.A. 271 degrees and declination +34 degrees. Unfortunately, the Lyrids will peak only two days before a full Moon making them difficulty to see.
The closest bright star is Nu Herculis and the ZHR is 15.
Additional information on the Lyrids
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower will be appearing in 2005 from April 19 to May 28 and will peak around May 5, 2005. Its radiant is at R.A.338 degrees and declination -1 degrees.
The closest bright star is Alpha Aquarii and the ZHR is 50-60 although this is more likely in the Southern hemisphere. The ideal time for vewing the Eta Aquarids is the period after midnight before the Moon rises very early in the morning.
Additional information on the Eta Aquarids
The Southern Delta Aquarid meteor shower will be appearing in 2005 from July 12 to August 19 and will peak around July 28, 2005. Its radiant is at R.A. 339 degrees and declination -16 degrees.
The closest bright star is naturally enough Delta Aquarii and its ZHR is 20. The Southern Delta Aquarids can be best viewed after the Moon sets around midnight.
Additional information on the Delta Aquarids
The Northern Delta Aquarid meteor shower will be appearing in 2005 from July 15 to August 25 and will peak around August 8, 2005. Its radiant is at R.A. 335 degrees and declination -5 degrees.
The closest bright star is naturally enough Delta Aquarii and the ZHR is only 4, and the peak will be only few days after a new Moon will pose no problem for those observing the meteor shower.
Additional information on the Delta Aquarids
The Perseid meteor shower will be appearing in 2005 from July 17 to August 24 and will peak around August 12, 2005.
The ZHR this year is expected to be 100. During the early 1990's ZHRs of 400 were observed, but the ZHR is expected to gradually decrease during the coming years. The Perseid's radiant is at R.A. 46 degrees and declination +58 degrees. The Moon will set about a half hour before midnight of the peak date.
The closest bright star is Gamma Persei.
Additional information on the Perseids
The Orionid meteor shower will be appearing in 2005 from October 2 until November 7 and will peak around October 21. Their ZHR (Zenith hourly ratio) is 20 and its radiant is R.A. 95 degrees and declination +16 degrees, which is close to Xi Orionis.
The Moon will rise around 9:30 P.M. making the Orionids difficult to see this year.
Additional information on the Orionids
The Leonid meteor shower will be appearing in 2005 from the 14 to 21 of November and will probably peak on November 17, 2005 14:30 UT. Unfortunately, the almost full Moon will be lighting up the sky the entire night. Its radiant is R.A. 153 degrees and declination +22 degrees which is close to Gamma Leonis.
Information on the Leonids and additional information on the Leonids
The Geminid meteor shower will be appearing in 2005 from the 7 to 17 of December and will peak around the 14th of December 13:30 UT. Their ZHR (Zenith hourly ratio) is 120 and its radiant is R.A. 112 degrees and declination +33 degrees. The closes bright star is Tau Geminorum.
The Moon will make the shower difficult to see.