SOUTHERN MARYLAND — The 2025 meteor shower season begins this week, and the night sky over Southern Maryland is ready to put on a show. The Lyrids meteor shower, the first major celestial event of the year, begins tonight, April 21. While the Lyrids are less active than some of the larger showers later in the year, they offer a welcome return for meteor watchers after months of quiet skies.
Residents of Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties can look forward to a full year of celestial activity, with several annual meteor showers offering opportunities to view bright meteors throughout 2025. Clear skies, low light pollution and patience are all that’s needed.
According to the American Meteor Society, the top showers visible in the region this year include:
- Lyrids — peaking April 21–22, producing up to 20 meteors per hour
- Eta Aquariids — peaking May 5–6
- Perseids — peaking Aug. 11–13, known for fast, bright meteors
- Orionids — peaking Oct. 20–21
- Leonids — peaking Nov. 17–18
- Geminids — peaking Dec. 13–14, often the strongest of the year
The best time to view meteor showers is after midnight on peak nights, when the sky is darkest. Observers should allow 20 to 30 minutes for their eyes to adjust and avoid using artificial light, which can reduce visibility. Stargazing is best in rural areas with minimal light interference.
Several local organizations support public astronomy engagement. The Southern Maryland Astronomical Society, based in Charles County, frequently hosts stargazing events that are open to the public. More information is available at www.smas.us. Regional events may also be hosted by the Calvert Natural Society.
For those looking to explore on their own or plan, helpful resources include:
To get a personalized viewing forecast, visit the Time and Date Meteor Shower Visibility Tool. You can input La Plata, Md., or another Southern Maryland area to see a custom visibility chart and forecast. The tool includes moonlight interference, cloud cover predictions and peak viewing times broken down by the hour.
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