{"id":51862,"date":"2023-11-17T08:16:08","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T08:16:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/a7edaaf7-5da3-4ed7-a2e8-a0d43605fed4"},"modified":"2023-11-17T09:32:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T09:32:32","slug":"leonid-meteor-shower-peaks-tonight-see-a-meteor-with-our-top-tips","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/leonid-meteor-shower-peaks-tonight-see-a-meteor-with-our-top-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Leonid meteor shower peaks tonight. See a meteor with our top tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Follow our simple tips and head out this weekend to see the peak of the Leonid meteor shower. <\/p>

By Iain Todd\n <\/p>

Published: Friday, 17 November 2023 at 08:16 AM<\/p>

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Tonight sees the peak of the Leonid meteor shower, with the best time to see the Leonids being late this evening and into the early hours of Saturday morning.<\/p>

The Leonid meteor shower occurs every year between 6\u201330 November, but peak activity is the best time to see it, provided the weather is good and the Moon is out of the way.<\/p>

The good news for the Leonid meteor shower 2023 is that the Moon will very much be out of the way, leaving the skies good and dark during peak activity.<\/p>

For the full picture, read Pete Lawrence’s fantastic guide to the Leonid meteor shower<\/a>, and scroll down for our top tips.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Find out when the next meteor shower<\/a> is visible and 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 tips and facts<\/strong><\/h2>

Leonid meteors appear to emanate from the Sickle asterism<\/a> in the Leo constellation<\/a>.<\/p>

The region of the sky from where a meteor shower originates is known as the ‘radiant’.<\/p>

Leonids could produce a Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) of 15 meteors per hour.<\/p>

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

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

The best time to see Leonid meteors is after the radiant has gained some height.<\/p>

Ideally observe from midnight on 17 November through to dawn on 18 November.\u00a0<\/p>

\"Want
Want to spot a Leonid meteor tonight? Locate the Sickle star pattern in the Leo constellation. Click on the chart to zoom in. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Observe a away from the light pollution<\/a> of towns and cities, preferably in groups<\/p>

Use a reclining chair or sunlounger to prevent neck ache, and wrap up warm<\/p>

Locate the radiant in the night sky using a star chart or smartphone astronomy app<\/a><\/p>

Observe with your naked eye, giving your eyes about 30 minutes to dark-adapt<\/p>

Look two thirds up in the sky<\/p>

If you see a meteor and can trace it back to Leo, you’ve likely seen a Leonid.<\/p>

Find out more in our video guide below:<\/p>