The frequency can vary widely, from about 5 to over 100 meteors per hour, depending on the shower’s intensity and observing conditions.
Upcoming Meteor Showers
Frequently Ask Questions
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Meteor showers are not rare. They occur regularly each year as the Earth passes through streams of debris left by comets and asteroids. Most years have several predictable showers.
No, meteor showers do not happen every night. They occur on specific dates when Earth passes through debris fields. However, random meteors, not part of a shower, can be seen on any night.
August typically has the most meteor showers, highlighted by the Perseids, one of the most prominent annual meteor showers.
Look for clear, dark skies away from city lights. During a meteor shower, expect to see meteors radiating from a specific point in the sky called the radiant, and look for variations in color and brightness.