Autumn in the northern hemisphere is the prime observing season for meteor enthusiasts. Following the Perseids in August, several further showers come to prominence during October-December. ‘Peak season’ is rounded off by the Quadrantids in early January, following which activity reaches something of a trough.

Even at times when major shower activity is not expected, the ever-present background sporadic meteor population can provide sufficient rates - perhaps 10-12/hr in the early hours on a September morning - to reward patient watchers.

The year opened with very unfavourable conditions (a Full Moon!) for the Quadrantids in early January. In the coming months, however,  there are plenty of good observing opportunities -  looking ahead to the autumn, especially, the Orionid, Leonids and Geminids will each be well-placed for dark sky conditions. In the more immediate future, the Lyrids offer a chance to clock up some observing time with reasonable activity following the quiet months of the year’s opening quarter. Come high summer, the August’s Perseids are superbly-placed in 2007

Prospects for upcoming meteor showers through to the end of 2006; Orionids, Taurids, Leonids, Geminids, and Ursids.

Every three years or so – roughly one-sixth of a Saros cycle – lunar phasing is such that the maximum of the Perseids is adversely affected by strong moonlight. This is, sadly, the case in 2006: Full Moon falls on August 09d, meaning that the shower’s peak on Aug 12-13 will be swamped by glare, and only the brightest meteors will be seen. This won’t deter ‘casual’ watchers – many local astronomical societies are doubtless planning barbeques/etc for the Saturday night – but productive serious, systematic watches are out of the question. Circumstances will be a whole lot better in 2007, when maximum is favourably-timed for western European longitudes in a moonless sky! For the meantime, observers have to make the most of the reasonable opportunities presented by the less prolific Capricornid and Aquarid showers active during late July’s Dark of the Moon. Coverage of these is just as important to the Meteor Section’s long-term work, and the combined activity from these radiants, coupled with reasonable sporadic rates, can make for productive viewing in the post-midnight hours.