The Aurigids, named for the entire constellation and formerly called the "Alpha Aurigids", are renowned for their intermittent outbursts, such as those in 1935, 1986, 1994, and 2007. They are associated with the comet Kiess (C/1911 N1), discovered in 1911 by Carl Clarence Kiess. The association was discovered after the outburst in 1935 by Cuno Hoffmeister and Arthur Teichgraeber. The Aurigid outburst on September 1, 1935 prompted the investigation of a connection with Comet Kiess, though the 24-year delay between the comet's return caused doubt in the scientific community. However, the outburst in 1986 erased much of this doubt. Read more
The alpha-Aurigids are active from 28th August to the 10th September. The maximum occurs on the 1st September. The ZHR is usually about 5 to 10, although it may be bursts of activity. In 2007, a ZHR 130 was observed from the East Coast of the United States. Bursts with ZHRs about 30-40 were also observed in 1935, 1986 and 1994. This year the alpha-Aurigids will not be hampered by the moon. The radiant of the alpha-Aurigids will be reasonably high in the sky at around midnight (from Scotland).