How To See The Bootid Meteor Shower This Friday Night
As twilight fades on Friday, June 27, skywatchers may see 'shooting stars' in the night sky as the Bootid meteor shower reaches its peak. A highly variable display, the exact number visible is unknown and could range from just a few per hour to as many as a hundred, according to the BBC. That is no guarantee of seeing shooting stars, but what it lacks in predictability, it makes up for in convenience, with the best potential views possible as soon as it gets dark. Here's everything you need to know about the peak of the Bootid meteor shower this Friday.
Meteor Shower: Where And When to Look
The best times to catch the Bootid meteor shower are a couple of hours before dawn and after sunset on June 27. The actual peak of the Bootid meteor shower will take place around 07:00 EDT, so the best displays might be seen before dawn on June 27, according to In-The-Sky.org. However, the source constellation — known as its radiant point — is the constellation Boötes the Herdsman, which is at its highest in the sky as day turns to night. As dusk turns to night on June 27, the shower is likely to produce its most impressive displays.
The exact location of the radiant point is between the bright star Arcturus — the brightest in Boötes — and the star Alkaid at the end of the handle of the Big Dipper, according to the International Meteor Organization. They'll be easy to find high in the western sky.
How to find Arcturus and Bootes in the night sky.
Meteor Shower: What You'll See
In addition to having two opportunities to view the Bootid meteor shower, its timing is favorable. With a new moon earlier this week, the pre-dawn and post-sunset hours are free from strong moonlight. However, if you head outside before it gets dark — about 45 minutes after sunset — and look to the west-northwest, you'll see a 9%-lit crescent moon with the planet Mercury to its lower right.
The cause of the Bootid meteor shower is dust and debris left in the inner solar system by comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke, a near-Earth short-period comet that orbits the sun every six years. It will next loop around the sun in August 2027. About 3.2 miles (5.2 kilometers) in diameter, according to NASA, it was first discovered in 1819.
Meteor Shower: Observing Tips
Since the Bootid meteor shower is so unpredictable, it's best to treat June 27 as merely a great night to go stargazing if the skies are clear, with shooting stars a bonus.
A location with an unobstructed view — free from buildings, trees, or hills — is key. You don't need any equipment, just your naked eyes (binoculars or telescopes will significantly reduce your chance of seeing any shooting stars).
Sunday, June 29: Moon And Mars In Conjunction
What's Next In The Night Sky
There's more going on this week than just a meteor shower. After sunset on Saturday, June 28, a 16%-lit crescent moon will be aligned with the bright star Regulus in Leo and the planet Mars. Come back on Sunday, June 29, and you'll see one of the sky highlights of June 2025 — a 24%-lit crescent moon and Mars just a fifth of a degree apart.
For exact timings, use a sunrise and sunset calculator for where you are, Stellarium Web for a sky chart and Night Sky Tonight: Visible Planets at Your Location for positions and rise/set times for planets.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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