Final answer:
The radiant is the point in the sky from which a meteor shower appears to originate. The Perseid meteor shower, for instance, has its radiant in the constellation of Perseus. Meteors can be seen across the sky, enhanced by dark, unobstructed skies, and observation is best after midnight.
Step-by-step explanation:
The point in the sky where a meteor shower originates is known as the radiant. When observing a meteor shower, we can see dust particles and pebbles entering the Earth's atmosphere, creating visible streaks of light. These streaks appear to emerge from the radiant, which is the direction in space where the meteoroid stream seems to diverge. A familiar example is the Perseid meteor shower, with its radiant in the constellation of Perseus. However, meteors can be seen across the sky, not exclusively in the vicinity of the radiant.
To optimize your experience of a meteor shower, find a viewing spot far from city lights for a dark sky and ensure an unobstructed view. The absence of moonlight can also enhance the visibility of the meteors, and thus, meteor watchers are typically advised to observe after midnight to increase the chances of seeing these swift phenomena.