The Celestial Meteor Showers To Look Out For In 2019

If you are a star gazer, we are sure you the one thing you haven’t missed the Geminids meteor shower of 2018. If you’ve, don’t worry. 2019 promises to be bright with quite a few meteor showers throughout the year. We have presented the most spectacular ones that should keep your eyes glued to the sky!
Things to Consider
You can get to know the forecast details along with the time of peak activity. We have also presented the Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) which is the theoretical peak rate visible under suitable observing conditions.
Some of the meteor showers will be visible from Northern Hemisphere and are marked with (N), while for Southern Hemisphere it is presented with (S). Showers visible from both hemispheres are marked (N/S).
Quadrantids (N)
Viewable: 28 December to 12 January
Peak: 4 January 2:20am (3:20am CET and 2:20am GMT)
ZHR: 120
People of the northern hemisphere will have to brace some cold weather to view the shower. The shower will be visible during the whole night in Canada and Europe. Aim after midnight for the best views.
Alpha Centaurids (S)
Viewable: 31 January to 20 February
Peak: 8 February, 1:00pm UT
ZHR: 6, can reach 25
You can view just a few meteors per hour which form amazing fireballs across the sky. People of southern hemisphere can spot the shower with rates exceeding 25 per hour.
Eta Aquariids (S favourable)
Viewable: 19 April to 28 May
Peak: 6 May, 2 pm UT
ZHR: over 40
The showers raining from 1P/Halley will light up the skies during the early hours of the morning. You can expect to see 40 to 50 meteors per hour but have to get up early!
Alpha Capricornids, Piscis Austrinids and Southern Delta Aquariids (N/S)
Viewable: Early-July till mid-August
Peak: 28-30 July
ZHR: combined 35
The three minor showers will keep sky gazers from both hemispheres busy, though the southern is the preferred spot. You can experience the highest rates during hours after midnight.
Taurids (N/S)
Viewable: 10 September to 10 December
Peak: 10 October and 13 October
ZHR: 5+5
The Taurids provide a spectacular show over a long period giving you three months of showers. The Taurid debris streams cause the wonderful fireworks when the earth passes through them on its orbit.
Geminids (N/S)
Viewable: 4-17 December
Peak: 14 December, 6:40 pm UT
ZHR: over 140
Asteroid 3200 Phaethon showers are one of the biggest events with rates exceeding 140 per hour. People of both hemispheres can enjoy the show beginning well before midnight. Unfortunately, moonlight can interfere and wash out the weak meteors.
Ursids (N)
Viewable: 17-26 December
Peak: 23 December, 3:00 am UT
ZHR: over 10
The last shower of the year favours the people of the northern hemisphere. You should pray for a clear sky to spot the showers which rain the whole night. Though the rate is low, you can expect sudden outbursts.