Which local time generally maximizes radiant height for established meteor showers?
Answer
The hours just before dawn.
To achieve the maximum visibility from a meteor shower, observers should aim for the time when the shower's radiant is positioned highest in the sky, generally closest to the zenith. For most established meteor showers whose radiant systems are studied and mapped, this optimal high position is typically achieved during the late night hours, specifically leading up to dawn. This positioning ensures that the greatest possible length of the meteor trajectories is visible above the observer's local horizon, thereby increasing the probability of seeing longer, more distinct streaks and aligning with the best viewing window highlighted for many annual events.
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