{"id":65889,"date":"2024-11-11T11:39:11","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T11:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/921705cc-efe0-4104-9935-ad72ff0bfb3d"},"modified":"2024-11-11T12:39:37","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T12:39:37","slug":"the-leonid-meteor-shower-peaks-this-week","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/the-leonid-meteor-shower-peaks-this-week\/","title":{"rendered":"The Leonid meteor shower peaks this week"},"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, 11 November 2024 at 11:39 AM<\/p>

\n\n

The Leonid meteor shower occurs every year during November, with peak activity on the night of 17 November and into the early hours of 18 November.<\/p>

However, in 2024 the Leonid meteor shower will be marred by a bright waning gibbous Moon on the night of peak activity.<\/p>

This will restrict the number of meteors that you can actually see.<\/p>

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

A Leonid meteor. Credit: mdesigner125 \/ Getty <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

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>

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 2024, the gibbous Moon will make observing Leonid meteors very tricky indeed.<\/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
The radiant of the Leonid meteor shower is located in the constellation Leo. Credit: Pete Lawrence <\/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>

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>

\"The
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, but again, that bright Moon will spoil meteor observing on the night of peak activity.<\/p>

Yet 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>

\"Watching
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>