This week – Leonids peak: when and how to observe the meteor shower
15 November 2024 05:16
On the night of November 17-18, the Leonids meteor shower will be available to observe. It is expected that about 15 meteors will be visible per hour. This is reported by Space.com, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs
This year’s Leonid meteor shower is active from November 3 to December 2 and will peak on the night of November 17-18.
The Leonids got their name because they appear from the constellation Leo, which is their radiant – the point from which they seem to take off.
The Leonid meteor shower occurs when the Earth passes through a stream of particles left behind by Comet Tempel-Tuttle during its highly elliptical orbit around the Sun, which happens every 33 years. These particles, which consist of dust and ice, burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere, leaving bright trails in the sky.
Leonids are considered one of the fastest meteors, moving across the sky at 71 km per second (44 miles per second), according to NASA. They can also produce bright fireballs that leave long, bright, and colored trails in the sky.
It is noted that sometimes the meteor shower becomes a real starry rain, when thousands of meteors fall every hour. This phenomenon occurs about once every 33 years, the last meteor storm could be seen in 2002.
A meteor storm is recorded when the number of meteors exceeds 1000 per hour. In 1966, people witnessed thousands of Leonid meteors falling in just 15 minutes, and in 1833, about 100 thousand meteors per hour were recorded.
How and when to observe the Leonids peak?
The Leonids got their name because they appear from the constellation Leo, which is their radiant – the point from which they seem to fly out.
The constellation Leo can be seen at latitudes from 90 to minus 65 degrees. To locate Leo, first locate the bright star Regulus and then point to the characteristic question mark known as the “sickle” which symbolizes the lion’s mane.
Don’t look directly at Leo to find meteors, as shooting stars will be visible all over the sky. Be sure to look around and shift your gaze to neighboring constellations, as meteors further away from the radiant tend to have longer lines (glowing trails of debris) and are easier to spot.
This year’s meteor shower will not be a record-breaking event, but if the sky is clear and there is no moonlight, you should be able to see up to 15 meteors per hour.
When is the best time to watch the Leonids meteor shower?
The Leonids are expected to peak this year on the night of November 17-18. The best time to observe is late at night or in the pre-dawn hours, when the sky will be darker and possibly less illuminated.
The meteors will peak on November 16 and will be active from November 3 to December 2.
Here are some tips on how to maximize your meteor viewing experience:
- Choose places away from city lights. If possible, go to the countryside or find a place where the sky is as dark as possible.
- Prepare for the night: In winter, temperatures can be low, so bring warm clothes, a blanket, or a sleeping bag to keep warm.
- Allow your eyes to adjust to the dark: Avoid bright lights from smartphones or other devices for 20-30 minutes to get a better view of the meteors.
What to expect from this year’s meteor shower?
The Leonids are known for their “explosions” – periods when hundreds of meteors are seen per hour, as was the case in 1999 and 2001. This year, no such “storm” is expected, but it will still be a beautiful sight.
For several hours, you will be able to see meteors flying through the sky at high speed, sometimes leaving trails that remain visible for several seconds.
Why should you not miss the Leonids?
The Leonids meteor shower has a long history of observations and always attracts astronomy enthusiasts. This is one of those meteor showers that not only allow us to observe the night sky, but also inspire us to think about the greatness of space and our place in the universe.
