Ten meteor showers are coming from June Solstice to September Equinox, including the renowned Perseids and prolific Southern Delta-Aquariids. Use this calendar to remember which meteor showers peak each month.
Meteor shower peaks in June
June 27: June Bootids
- Designation: 170 JBO
- ZHR: variable
- Moon illumination: 1%
- Active: June 22 — July 2
- Constellation: Bootes
- Visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The June Bootid meteor shower is unpredictable. It showed unusual activity in 1998 (50–100 meteors per hour) and 2004 (20–50 meteors per hour). Another outburst was expected in 2010, but the shower produced less than ten meteors per hour. There are no predictions about the June Bootids’ activity for 2022. Anyway, try watching it around June 27, when the peak is expected. For many Northern Hemisphere locations, the shower’s radiant will stay high above the horizon all night. The further south you are, the lower the radiant will appear for you.
Meteor shower peaks in July
July 10: July Pegasids
- Designation: 175 JPE
- ZHR: 5
- Moon illumination: 87%
- Active: July 4–14
- Constellation: Pegasus
- Visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The July Pegasids are weak and not well-studied. They are usually active at the beginning of July. The radiant will be seen in both hemispheres but will rise higher in the northern sky by the night’s second half. In 2022, the shower’s peak is expected on July 10.
July 28: Piscis Austrinids
- Designation: 183 PAU
- ZHR: 5
- Moon illumination: 0%
- Active: July 15 — August 10
- Constellation: Piscis Austrinus
- Visible from: Southern Hemisphere
In 2022, the Piscis Austrinids peak on July 28. Their radiant is near the brightest star in the constellation Piscis Austrinus, Fomalhaut, which will very conveniently rise high in the southern sky during the shower’s peak. Moreover, the New Moon will occur on this day — you can’t ask for better conditions.
July 28: July Gamma Draconids
- Designation: 184 GDR
- ZHR: 5
- Moon illumination: 0%
- Active: July 25–31
- Constellation: Draco
- Visible from: Northern Hemisphere
On the same day, the July Gamma Draconids (γ-Draconids) will also be at their peak. They haven’t shown any activity since 2017, but in 2016, they produced an outburst (30–40 meteors per hour). This year, the maximum activity is expected on July 28, at around 17:00 GMT. The radiant will be high in the northern sky all night. For the southern observers, it will be visible closer to the horizon.
July 30: Southern Delta Aquariids
- Designation: 005 SDA
- ZHR: 25
- Moon illumination: 3%
- Active: July 12 — August 23
- Constellation: Aquarius
- Visible from: Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Delta Aquariids (δ-Aquariids) are one of the most active meteor showers in the southern sky. Observers reported outbursts in 1977 and 2003 (about 40 meteors per hour). This year, the Southern Delta Aquariids will reach their peak on July 30. Their meteors are dim, but you will most likely be able to see them since the Moon will not illuminate the sky.
July 30: Alpha Capricornids
- Designation: 001 CAP
- ZHR: 5
- Moon illumination: 3%
- Active: July 3 — August 15
- Constellation: Capricornus
- Visible from: Southern Hemisphere
The Alpha Capricornids (α-Capricornids) produce slow-moving, bright meteors but are not prolific: the highest activity rate was registered in 1995 and was about ten meteors per hour. In 2022, the shower will peak on July 30. Observers from the Southern Hemisphere will have the best observing conditions: the radiant will climb high in the sky at around midnight local time. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will also be on view, but closer to the horizon.
Meteor shower peaks in August
August 13: Perseids
- Designation: 007 PER
- ZHR: 100
- Moon illumination: 95%
- Active: July 17 — August 24
- Constellation: Perseus
- Visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The Perseids are so bright and abundant that they’ve become one of the most popular meteor showers. The Perseids are primarily visible from the Northern Hemisphere, where the radiant is always above the horizon. In 2022, the peak is expected on August 13 — unfortunately, the brightly lit Moon in the sky will make it harder to spot meteors.
August 18: Kappa Cygnids
- Designation: 012 KCG
- ZHR: 3
- Moon illumination: 54%
- Active: August 3–25
- Constellation: Cygnus
- Visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The Kappa Cygnids (κ-Cygnids) showed extra activity in 2007 and 2014. However, in 2022, we will most likely see the usual three meteors per hour. The peak will be on August 18. In the Northern Hemisphere, the radiant will be visible throughout the night. In the Southern Hemisphere, the radiant will be either low above the horizon or below it: the more south you are, the more unlikely you are to see the shower.
Meteor shower peaks in September
September 1: Aurigids
- Designation: 206 AUR
- ZHR: 6
- Moon illumination: 28%
- Active: August 28 — September 5
- Constellation: Auriga
- Visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The most recent outbursts of the Aurigids were registered in 2007 and 2019: the shower produced 30–50 meteors per hour. The activity is expected to be weak this year, and will reach its peak on September 1. The Aurigids favor the Northern Hemisphere, where their radiant is high above the horizon. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is visible 1–2 hours before sunrise, near the skyline.
September 9: September Epsilon Perseids
- Designation: 208 SPE
- ZHR: 5
- Moon illumination: 99%
- Active: September 5–21
- Constellation: Perseus
- Visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The September Epsilon Perseids (ε-Perseids) are not to be confused with the August Perseids: they have different parent comets. Also, the ε-Perseids are much weaker. In 2022, the ε-Perseids reach their peak on September 9 — one day before the Full Moon. Its light might outshine the shower’s meteors. Stargazers from the Northern Hemisphere will be able to start observing already at 8–9 p.m. local time. In the Southern Hemisphere, you’ll have to wait until 1 a.m. and get less time until dawn.
Bottom line: now you know all you need about the meteor showers between June Solstice and September Equinox in 2022. The Perseids peak on August 13, and are expected to produce around 100 meteors per hour; they are best seen in the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern Delta Aquariids, best seen in the Southern Hemisphere, will reach their maximum activity on July 30; you may see up to 25 meteors each hour. Check if you are ready to watch shooting stars by taking our quiz!
We wish you clear skies and happy observations!
