Leonid Meteor Shower: Peak Time, Dates, How to Watch
The Leonid meteor shower, which happens once a year, will light up the night sky on Nov. 18 with an average of 15 meteors per hour.
When the Earth crosses the orbital path of Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle and the debris of the comet make their way into the atmosphere, it creates a spectacular view that is visible from both hemispheres. The Leonid meteor shower happens once a year and this time, it will occur from midnight until the dawn of Nov. 18, according to Tech Times.
The event's name was derived from the point where the meteors appear, which is the constellation Leo. Although the Leonid meteor shower is visible from both of the earth's hemispheres, it appears to be clearer in the Northern hemisphere, the report details.
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Experts say the Leonid meteor shower can be viewed from almost any point in the Earth, but the best places to watch the event are places with dark surroundings. They also recommend watching the meteor shower from areas with clear skies, no moon, dry weather, and no city light, The Weather Network reports.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Dave Samuhel warned that the Leonid meteor shower may be clouded by bad weather, and the United States is expecting a large storm this week. Those in Ohio, Mississippi, and the Northwest might not be able to get a clear view of the meteor shower. Fortunately, Slooh will air a live broadcast of the sky event from 8 p.m. EST on Nov. 17, the report relays.
On the other hand, those in Southern California and other similar areas with clear skies will be able to get a good view of the Leonid shower.
It is worth noting that the Leonid shower usually produces meteor storms, but this will most likely not happen this year. One of the biggest meteor storms was seen in 1833 in North America, when around 100,000 meteors every hour appeared in the night sky.
