Bottides

Bottides is a meteor shower that occurs annually in December. It is associated with the comet 2008 QM107. The shower is active from December 19 to December 23, with its peak typically occurring on December 21. The radiant, or the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate, is located in the constellation Boötes. While not the most prolific meteor shower, the Bottides can offer a decent display of shooting stars for observers under clear, dark skies. The meteors are often described as slow-moving and can be quite bright. It is recommended to observe the Bottides away from city lights to maximize the chances of seeing the meteors. The shower is best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere, though it can also be seen from some southern latitudes. Like all meteor showers, the visibility of the Bottides can be affected by moonlight. A waxing crescent moon is generally favorable for viewing meteor showers as it sets relatively early in the evening, leaving the sky darker for a longer period.