Bright meteor streaking throughout the evening sky above Payson, Arizona, throughout the Leonids meteor bathe.
(mdesigner125 / Getty Images
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Skywatchers in a lot of the nation have been in luck this week, as a comparatively uncommon G4 geomagnetic storm allowed folks as far south as Florida, Alabama and Texas to glimpse the northern lights.
And when you’re prepared for extra celestial fireworks, you do not have to attend lengthy. That’s as a result of the annual Leonid meteor bathe is nearing its peak, which may very well be the perfect for this specific meteor bathe in years.
What Are The Leonids?
The Leonid meteor bathe happens yearly in mid-to-late November when Earth passes by way of the particles path left behind by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Named after the constellation Leo, from which the meteors seem to radiate, the Leonids are recognized for producing fast-moving meteors that streak throughout the sky at speeds of as much as 44 miles per second.
The present from this 12 months’s Leonid bathe needs to be top-of-the-line in years. The motive why? The part of the moon. A waning crescent moon, which shall be simply 9% illuminated, will rise within the predawn hours of the times when the Leonids are peaking. This implies that the prime in a single day viewing hours shall be freed from moonlight, permitting for higher comet visibility.
A burst of 1999 Leonid meteors as seen at 38,000 toes from Leonid Multi Instrument Aircraft Campaign (Leonid MAC) with 50 mm digicam.
(NASA)
When Is The Peak?
The bathe’s peak is anticipated to happen between midnight and daybreak on Monday, Nov. 17. With luck, you possibly can hope to see about 15 meteors per hour. For optimum viewing, discover a darkish location away from metropolis lights, lie again on a blanket, and provides your eyes about 20 to half-hour to regulate to the darkness whereas trying northeast towards the constellation Leo. And keep in mind: It’s chilly at evening this time of 12 months, so be certain that to decorate warmly!
What’s your favourite reminiscence of a meteor bathe? Let us know within the feedback!
Senior author Chris DeWeese edits Morning Brief, The Weather Channel’s publication.