Leonids Meteor Shower: A Brief but Spectacular Sky Show

The Leonid meteor shower is making its annual appearance, offering a brief but dazzling display for sky enthusiasts.

Peak Viewing Times

• Peak Time: Around 1 p.m. ET on Monday
• Best Viewing Window: Between 4 a.m. Monday and sunrise, local time
• Sharp Peak: Unlike other meteor showers, the Leonids have a very sharp peak, meaning there's only one night to see them at their best.

Origin and Earth Grazers

The Leonids originate from the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which leaves behind a small trail of debris. This is why Earth passes through it quickly.

• Earth Grazers: If you look up around 11 p.m. Sunday, you might see some Earth grazers. These meteors last longer and travel across a larger part of the sky. However, most of the action will be happening below the horizon.

Meteor Rates and Storms

• Typical Rates: Under clear skies, you can expect to see about 10 to 15 meteors per hour.
• Meteor Storms: The Leonids are known for producing incredible meteor storms, with up to 1,000 meteors per hour.
• Last Big Storm: 2002
• Most Memorable Storm: 1966, with rates estimated at 40 meteors per second.

Future Storms

These storms happen when Earth passes through a dense part of the comet's debris trail. The comet takes 33 years to orbit the sun, so big Leonid showers and storms occur about every 33 years.

• Next Storm: Expected in 2033, but it's not expected to be a storm. Instead, we might see around 100 meteors per hour, similar to the Geminids.

Upcoming Events

While you're waiting for the Leonids, there are still two more meteor showers to look forward to this year. And don't forget to mark your calendar for the last full supermoon of the year.