The Leonid meteor shower (aka the Leonids) represents a series of spectacular meteor storms that happen about every 33 years. The comet responsible for the Leonids is Tempel-Tuttle.
The Leonids are also part of the Leo constellation, as their name suggests. Their peak usually happens on November 17, which means that you should better prepare your binoculars for tonight! We’re talking about what NASA calls a “major shower,” and there’s no wonder why. For this year, the Leonids will produce at least 1,000 visible meteors per hour.
The 2023 Leonids will peak on Saturday
Although usually, the Leonids have their peak on November 17, it seems that for this year, they will have a delay. This means that the meteor shower will have its most intense activity on Saturday at 12:33 a.m. ET, as EarthSky informs.
Therefore, if you’re up and ready to watch some sparkling meteors on Saturday, you’ll get the chance to admire 10 to 15 meteors every hour with binoculars or even with the naked eye. However, it’s better to opt for the first option.
However, light pollution and a sky teeming with clouds can stay in the way of you and the Leonids. In other words, you won’t have the chance to admire the meteor shower if nature acts against you.
Dr. Sharon Morsink, who’s a professor of physics at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, explained, as Yahoo News quotes:
The most important thing is to get away from light pollution,
You can still see some meteors if you’re in the city, but you’re not going to see anywhere near the number that you get to see if you get out of the city.
What do you think? Are you willing to watch the Leonid meteor shower unfolding right before our eyes and dominating the night sky? Feel free to tell us what you think in the comment section!
