#meteor shower to peak 11/18 (midnight-dawn) Follow these links to learn more #Astronomy @earthskyscience
The famous Leonid meteor shower peaks between midnight and dawn on November 18. The morning before might be good, too. Here’s all you need to know to watch.
November’s wonderful Leonid meteor shower happens every year at this time, as our world moves through space. It occurs when Earth crosses the orbital path of Comet Tempel-Tuttle, which, like all comets, litters its orbit with bits of debris. It’s when this comet debris enters Earth’s atmosphere, and vaporizes, that we see the Leonid meteor shower.
In 2015, the peak night of the shower is expected from midnight to dawn on Wednesday morning (November 18). Although this shower is known for its periodic storms, no Leonid storm is expected this year. The waxing moon will set in the evening hours, so moonlight will not obstruct this year’s Leonid shower. Also, it’ll be fun to look for the planet Jupiter, which shines in front of the constellation Leo this year. Watch for the Leonids on the mornings of November 17 and 18! The mornings before and after the peak might feature meteors as well, as we pass through the Leonid meteor stream in space.