2025 June Bootids: Best times and tips for meteor watching
When and how to see a spectacular meteor shower in June (photo: Getty Images)
The first summer meteor shower of the year could become a truly impressive astronomical event. Scientists predict that the June Bootids meteor shower promises to be spectacular, with up to 100 meteors per hour visible at its peak. Here's what is known about this meteor shower and how it can be seen in Ukraine.
What a meteor shower is and what affects its intensity
A meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through a cosmic "debris" stream—fine dust and particles left behind by comets or asteroids. When these particles enter the atmosphere, they burn up, creating the flashes we call "shooting stars."
When to expect the June Bootids
The shower will be active from June 22 to July 2.
Peak activity will be on June 26–28. The best night for viewing is June 27.
This year, visibility will be excellent because the Moon will be in a phase close to the New Moon. This means the sky will be dark, and the meteor shower will be clearly visible, assuming the weather is clear.
About the June Bootids
This meteor shower was first documented in 1916, when astronomers observed meteors originating from the orbit of comet 7P/Pons–Winnecke, which Earth crosses in June.
The June Bootids are usually a weak meteor shower, producing just a few meteors per hour. However, sudden bright outbursts have occurred in some years, with up to 100 meteors visible per hour. Such events happened in 1998 and 2004, and experts predict a similar outburst could occur this year.
The shower's name comes from the constellation Boötes, from which the meteors appear to radiate.
How to see the meteor shower in Ukraine
Where to look:
The best locations for watching are parks, open fields, the rooftops of tall buildings, or countryside areas. The most important condition is darkness—avoid areas affected by city lights. Binoculars and telescopes won't be necessary; this meteor shower can be enjoyed with the naked eye.
When to watch:
On the evenings of June 26 and 27, the best time is after midnight until dawn, between 11:00 PM and 4:00 AM Kyiv time.
The magic of a meteor shower
Besides the visual spectacle, meteor showers carry a touch of magic. For centuries, people have believed that if you make a wish when a star falls and manage to finish it before the meteor disappears, it will surely come true.
This is also a perfect time to spend a quiet moment alone or with someone close and take a break from everyday life.
Sources: Universe Space Tech, AMS Meteors, galactic.name
