Home News LOOK UP! Leonid Meteor Shower to Peak in November

LOOK UP! Leonid Meteor Shower to Peak in November

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Photo credits: NASA

US – Look up! in November to one of the brightest most colorful meteor showers of the year.

The Leonid Meteor shower peak during mid-November to up to 15 meteors per hour according to NASA. These meteors are not only bright but fast and considered to be a major shower.

These meteors are fallen debris and particles that have been shed from orbiting asteroids in space. Each year the Earth passes through those dust trails and debris floating in space. Collision with our atmosphere is what causes the fiery and colorful streaks across the sky.

The comet the Leonid Meteor shower comes from according to NASA is from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. It takes comet Tempel-Tuttle 33 years to orbit the sun once.

The best viewing of the meteors is around midnight local time. Find an area well away from city or street lights. You should be prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair. Look towards the east and take in as much of the sky as possible. It takes about half an hour for your eyes to adapt to the darkness and you can see the meteors.