{"id":51725,"date":"2023-11-13T11:16:41","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T11:16:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/921705cc-efe0-4104-9935-ad72ff0bfb3d"},"modified":"2023-11-13T12:33:47","modified_gmt":"2023-11-13T12:33:47","slug":"leonid-meteor-shower-2023-peaks-this-weekend","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/leonid-meteor-shower-2023-peaks-this-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"Leonid meteor shower 2023 peaks this weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Leonid meteor shower peaks on 17 November. Find out how to see it in our beginner’s guide. <\/p>

By Pete Lawrence\n <\/p>

Published: Monday, 13 November 2023 at 11:16 AM<\/p>

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The Leonid meteor shower occurs between 6\u201330 November, with the best time to see it in 2023 being peak activity, which occurs this weekend on the night of 17\/18 November.<\/p>

Leonid meteors are swift, entering the atmosphere at 77km\/s.<\/p>

The radiant – the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to emanate – is in the curved portion of the Sickle asterism<\/a> in the Leo constellation<\/a>, the pattern that is meant to represent the Lion\u2019s head.<\/p>

The Leonids are associated with comet 55P\/Tempel\u2013Tuttle and at their peak are expected to produce a Zenthal Hourly Rate (ZHR) of 15 meteors per hour.<\/p>

This is under ideal conditions though, so expect to see less.<\/p>

Find out when the next meteor shower<\/a> is visible or discover what causes meteor showers<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Chart showing the location of the Leonid meteor shower 2023. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Leonid meteor shower moon phase<\/strong><\/h2>

The significant factors affecting the visibility of a meteor display are light pollution, weather, the Moon and radiant altitude.<\/p>

On the evening of 17 November, the Moon appears as a 21%-lit waxing crescent.<\/p>

Low above the southern horizon at sunset, this early-phase crescent sets around 19:00 UT, leaving the rest of the night good and dark for observing Leonid meteors.<\/p>

Observing Leonid meteors – key facts<\/strong><\/h2>

The Leonid radiant is located within the head of Leo, depicted by the Sickle asterism.<\/p>

The radiant itself rises around 22:20 UT, attaining a peak altitude of nearly 60\u00b0 around 05:40 UT.<\/p>

After this time, astronomical dawn will be in force with the sky slowly brightening to bring the observing window to a close.<\/p>

The best time to watch for Leonid meteors in 2023 will be after the radiant has gained some height, say from midnight on 17 November through to dawn on the 18 November.\u00a0<\/p>

\"Leonid
Leonid meteor in the sky above Arizona, USA. Credit: mdesigner125 \/ Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>

How many Leonid meteors will we see?<\/strong><\/h2>

The Leonid meteor shower is a popular meteor shower, despite its relatively low peak Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) of 15 meteors per hour.<\/p>

This value is for optimal viewing conditions with the shower radiant directly overhead.<\/p>

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Leo constellation. Credit: Credit: CEDIC Team Hubl Bernard \/ CCDGuide.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The shower\u2019s popularity is in part due to a periodic increase in its ZHR every 33 years.<\/p>

At such times the Leonids may produce a storm-level display of 1,000\u2013100,000 meteors per hour.<\/p>

The next interesting period begins around 2032\u20132033, so we are in between \u2018storms\u2019 at present.<\/p>

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The Sickle asterism is found in the constellation Leo. Credit: CEDIC Team Hubl Bernard \/ CCDGuide.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>

How to see a Leonid meteor – top tips<\/strong><\/h2>

Leonid meteors are best observed after midnight.<\/p>

And even when the Moon isn’t playing ball, meteor showers make for a great excuse to get out and get looking up at the night sky.<\/p>

For more on this, read our guide on what to see in the night sky in autumn<\/a>.<\/p>

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Watching a meteor shower doesn’t require any fancy equipment: just clear, dark skies, warm clothing and some good company. Credit: Anthony Sabatino \/ EyeEm \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>

To see a Leonid meteor:<\/p>