meteors | EarthSky

Bright meteor streak under a bright gibbous moon and a few stars showing as well.

Meteors in moonlight: 6 tips for watching

Meteors in moonlight: it's not optimal, but it's happening for the Eta Aquariids in 2026! Here are 6 tips for watching this year's shower.

A white streak cuts across the deep, muted orange sky above silhouetted trees against a backdrop of stars.

Learn how to shoot photos of meteors

Want to shoot photos of meteors with your camera? The first step is planning. The next step is to gather your equipment. Then on to the capture process.

Long bright streak in starry blue sky above a lake with distant mountains.

How high up are meteors when they begin to glow?

How high up are meteors when they begin to glow? Meteors begin to glow almost as soon as they hit Earth's atmosphere, but vaporize at varying altitudes.

2 bright dots in a dark blue sky. There are some trees in the foreground.

Venus and Jupiter conjunction. Plus meteors! See the images

Venus and Jupiter - the 2 brightest planets in Earth’s sky – were closest together for this year Monday morning. Here are the best images.

Dark starburst rays emanate from a central region on a lumpy white background.

KA-BOOM! Mars shakes when meteors smash into the planet

Astronomers have used AI to connect meteor impacts on Mars with marsquakes. They found that seismic waves can travel faster through the planet than expected.

Darkened upper half of moon with a pinpoint flash.

Are Geminid meteors striking the moon? See videos

Last week, Japanese astronomer Daichi Fujii captured videos of bright flashes on the moon. Could they be Geminid meteors striking the moon? See the videos here.

Space rock venting glowing yellow streamers with bright sun in mid distance.

How asteroid Phaethon can spawn the Geminid meteors

Phaethon is a weird asteroid that behaves like a comet. It's also responsible for the Geminid meteor shower. Find out how it does so, here.

Star chart: Constellation Aquarius with radial arrows from its middle.

Eta Aquariid meteors are richer from the Southern Hemisphere

The Eta Aquariid meteor shower is better in the Southern Hemisphere because sunrise comes later in May, where it's now autumn and they are moving toward winter.

Comet Nishimura and the Sigma-Hydrid meteors

Comet Nishimura may be the parent comet to the Signma-Hydrid meteor shower, which peaks December 9-12. The comet made a splash in astrophotos!

Dark hills, with Milky Way and a thin white streak bigger at lower end.

Observing meteors: Top 10 tips for the Perseids

The 2021 Perseid meteor shower is rising to its peak and many are observing meteors. Here are our best 10 tips for watching this shower, or any other!

Asteroid Phaethon – parent of Geminid meteors – gets weirder

The asteroid Phaethon is the parent object of the annual Geminid meteor shower. It forms a comet-like tail made of sodium, not dust.

Circular panorama of whole sky with stars, bright moon, and one meteor streak.

Taurid meteors in 2022: Watch for fireballs!

The 2 Taurid meteor showers are overlapping around now, making this week a great time to watch. Plus, this year, 2022, there's an extra chance to see fireballs!

Bright light in middle of long, thin bright line in dark blue sky with small clouds and stars.

Can meteors make a sound? Scientists say yes

Is it possible to hear a meteor? Some people report hearing meteors make a sizzling sound. Scientists explain how you can hear a meteor.

Sky chart with radial circle of arrows around Perseid radiant between outlines of Cassiopeia and Perseus.

Summer meteors 2022: Moon-free in late July and early August

Summer meteors 2022: full moon falls at the peak of the Perseids. Try watching for meteors in late July and early August.

Stars and white meteor streaks against a black background.

Tau Herculid meteors: Best images and video

Best images and video from this week's much-anticipated (and not disappointing) Tau Herculid meteor shower.

Diagram of meteoroids in orbit around the sun.

Meteors from rare long-period comets

With a global camera network, scientists track meteors of long-period comets - which take thousands of years to orbit once - to predict the next meteor rain.

Geminid meteors best on December 13-14

The shower is best around 2 a.m., but watch from late evening until dawn. The best morning is likely December 14, 2020.

Young moon and the planets Jupiter and Saturn at dsuk/nightfall in November 2020.

Young moon at dusk; meteors after midnight

On November 16, 17, 18 and 19, 2020, enjoy the beautiful presence of a waxing crescent moon covered over in earthshine in the west after sunset. Then, after midnight, watch for meteors in the annual Leonid meteor shower.

Composite image of starry sky with shrubbery in foreground, with constellation Taurus and several meteors radiating from it.

Taurid meteors rain down in November

The South and North Taurid meteor showers ramble along during November and often produce fireballs. Beautiful Taurid photos from EarthSky community members - plus more about the shower - here.

Tips for watching N. Taurid meteors

The nominal peak of the North Taurid meteor shower is on the night of November 11-12, 2020.

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Meteors in moonlight: 6 tips for watching

Learn how to shoot photos of meteors

How high up are meteors when they begin to glow?

Venus and Jupiter conjunction. Plus meteors! See the images

KA-BOOM! Mars shakes when meteors smash into the planet

Are Geminid meteors striking the moon? See videos

How asteroid Phaethon can spawn the Geminid meteors

Eta Aquariid meteors are richer from the Southern Hemisphere

Comet Nishimura and the Sigma-Hydrid meteors

Observing meteors: Top 10 tips for the Perseids

Asteroid Phaethon – parent of Geminid meteors – gets weirder

Taurid meteors in 2022: Watch for fireballs!

Can meteors make a sound? Scientists say yes

Summer meteors 2022: Moon-free in late July and early August

Tau Herculid meteors: Best images and video

Meteors from rare long-period comets

Geminid meteors best on December 13-14

Young moon at dusk; meteors after midnight

Taurid meteors rain down in November

Tips for watching N. Taurid meteors