Meteor and Fireball Observation

I suppose I had better start by describing the difference between a meteor, a meteorite and a fireball...

A meteor is the term given to the visual detection of a meteoroid as it enters the earths upper atmosphere and are most notable at certain times of the year, when multiple events (or "showers") take place and are detected by observation of the ionised gas trail they leave behind them.

A meteorite is a meteor(oid) which survives its journey into the atmosphere and impacts on the surface. A meteorite can be very small to very large... a relatively large meteorite is thought to have led to the demise of the dinosaurs.

A fireball is a brighter than average meteor, which means that there is a higher probability of a meteorite impact.

Although meteors can be seen at anytime, the best time to watch for meteors is after midnight.

Wikipedia has a good overview article on meteors, meteoroids and fireballs.

Main Meteor Showers - 2009

Quadrantids January 3-4
Lyrids April 21-22
Eta Aquarids May 5-6
Lyrids June 14-16
Delta Aquarids July 28-29
Capricornids July 29-30
Perseids August 12-13*
Draconids October 8-9
Orionids October 21-22
 
* Most consistently active and usually a good show