The Alpha Centaurid meteor shower (also spelled α-Centaurid) was likely first observed from Sydney, in February 1889. However, they weren’t recorded again until 1938, when they were observed from South West Africa. The meteors were only formally recognised in the 1970s, when Michael Buhagiar and members of the Western Australia Meteor Society undertook systematic observations.
We don’t yet know which celestial body left the debris trail that causes the annual Alpha Centaurids meteor shower.
Is it worth me getting out of bed for the Alpha Centaurid meteor shower?
The Alpha Centaurid meteor shower usually produces about 6, quite faint, meteors an hour, so it’s not one of the best or most meteor-intensive showers you’ll see all year. However, if you’re keen, your best chance of seeing Alpha Centaurid meteors is around 10.00pm on 8 February, so you don’t have to get out of bed early to see the meteors.
The higher the meteor shower gets in the sky, the more potentially visible meteors there are, and the New Moon promises dark skies.
When and where do I look for the Alpha Centaurid meteor shower?
The Alpha Centaurid meteor shower lasts from 28 January to 21 February, and peaks from 7-8 February with the shower active throughout the night, producing about 6 meteors per hour. Look towards the south east and below the Southern Cross. The Alpha Centaurids’ radiant point is circumpolar, so it stays above the horizon all night.
What is a meteor shower?
A meteor (commonly called a “shooting star”) is an unexpected, brief streak of light you might see in the night sky. The streak of light is caused by space debris, which can be as tiny as a single grain of sand and travelling at speeds of up to 75km per second when it hits our atmosphere. When this debris burns up in Earth’s atmosphere, it causes a brief, bright streak of light in the sky, and it’s usually only visible for a few seconds.
A meteor shower is a celestial spectacle where large numbers of meteors, or “shooting stars”, streak across the night sky. These dazzling events occur when Earth passes through the debris trail left by a comet or other object that entered our Solar System and orbited the Sun.
Meteor showers are visible to the naked eye and offer you a mesmerising display of bright streaks of light. We think they add a touch of cosmic wonder to the night.
Do I need a telescope or binoculars to see the Alpha Centaurid meteors?
You don’t need either a telescope or binoculars to see a meteor shower. Meteor showers make for a great time to gather with friends under the stars. Simply roll out your favourite picnic rug, pack the drinks and snacks, and start counting how many “shooting stars” you see!
Something interesting
Meteor showers are named after the constellation where the “shooting stars” appear to be coming from. In the case of the αlpha-Centaurid meteor shower Meteor Shower, the meteors come from the direction of the Centaurus constellation. If you have a handy smartphone app that helps you identify objects in the night sky, search for the constellation, and you’ll be looking in the right direction.
You might like to report a fireball!
Be a citizen scientist and report meteor sightings. If you happen to see a very bright meteor (often referred to as a “fireball”), the fireballs team based at WA’s Curtin University would love to know. Report your fireball sighting with the International Meteor Organization.
The International Meteor Organization is a great place to discover more about all things meteors, check out their Meteor Shower Calendar, and you can even become a member.
Where's Best to watch Meteor Showers?
You need dark night skies for the best view. Choose an Astrotourism Town destination and have happy meteor hunting.