February’s Only Meteor Shower: the 2025 Alpha Centaurids Strikes the Sky!

28th Jan 2025
February’s Only Meteor Shower: the 2025 Alpha Centaurids Strikes the Sky!

A rare celestial event exclusive to the Southern Hemisphere will grace the night skies in early 2025. The Alpha Centaurid meteor shower (α-Centaurids) offers a unique spectacle for stargazers south of the equator, marking the first meteor event of the year for many observers.

Short & Sweet: Everything You Need to Know About the α-Centaurids

  • Active Period: 28 January to 21 February 2025
  • Peak Activity: Night of 8-9 February 2025
  • Meteors Per Hour: Up to 6 at peak
  • Radiant: Constellation Centaurus
  • Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (84% illumination)

Why the α-Centaurid Meteor Shower Is Special

Though this meteor shower may not boast the dazzling meteor rates of other annual favorites, like the Perseids or Geminids, the Alpha Centaurids are still a fascinating spectacle. For many in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the first chance of the year to witness shooting stars streaking across the sky. Even though the peak is modest, up to 6 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, the thrill of catching a shooting star never gets old.

meteor showers
The Meteor Showers Collection by PETR HORÁLEK. Credit: https://www.petrhoralek.com/?p=23107

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Viewing Conditions

For those lucky enough to be in the Southern Hemisphere, this meteor shower will be visible throughout the night, with the best viewing happening in the pre-dawn hours after the moon sets. The radiant, or the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate, is located in the constellation Centaurus, so make sure to look in that general direction for the best chances to spot the meteors.

However, 2025 brings a bit of a challenge: the waxing gibbous moon, which will be 84% illuminated, may interfere with your view. The moonlight could wash out the fainter meteors, so finding a dark sky location will be essential to getting a good view of the show. Even with this challenge, die-hard stargazers can still enjoy the spectacle if they’re patient and persistent.

How to view the α-Centaurid Meteor Shower in the UK & Northern Hemisphere?

Unfortunately, for our friends in the Northern Hemisphere, the Alpha Centaurid meteor shower is not visible. The radiant point in the Centaurus constellation never rises above the horizon at these latitudes. So, for skywatchers in places like the UK, this one’s a no-go. But don’t worry, there’s always the next celestial event to look forward to.

Viewing Tips for Southern Hemisphere Stargazers

For stargazers in the Southern Hemisphere, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of this meteor shower:

  1. Find a dark, remote spot away from city lights to maximize visibility.
  2. Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness—at least 20-30 minutes.
  3. Look toward Centaurus, but don’t focus directly on it—meteor trails can appear anywhere in the sky!
  4. Be patient—meteor showers can be unpredictable, but they’re worth the wait.

While the Alpha Centaurid meteor shower may not be as spectacular as some of the bigger annual events, it’s still an exciting celestial occurrence for Southern Hemisphere observers, and a great way to kick off your stargazing year.

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