You can see meteors in almost any direction, but a few simple guidelines make it much easier.
Basic direction
For any meteor shower, meteors seem to “radiate” from a specific constellation (the shower’s radiant), but they streak across a wide area of sky. You generally do not need to stare exactly at the radiant; instead, look roughly 30–45 degrees away from it so the meteor trails appear longer.
Where to aim your gaze
- Face a direction where the sky is darkest and away from city lights or the Moon if possible.
- Tilt your gaze from about halfway up the sky to near overhead, rather than at the horizon, to catch more meteors.
If you know the shower name
Each shower’s name tells you its radiant:
- Perseids → near Perseus in the northeast for many observers.
- Orionids → near Orion in the east to south after it rises.
- Geminids → near Gemini, which rises in the east in the evening.
Once you identify that area, lie back and look slightly away from it, covering as much sky as you can.