When are Leonid meteor bathe peak dates? Where to look at in Mississippi

Get prepared, skygazers: Another main meteor bathe is about to hit its peak in November.

The Leonid meteor bathe, which first grew to become lively firstly of November, is because of peak in exercise for 2 nights within the subsequent few days. The Leonids, which happen yearly as Earth passes via cosmic particles from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, are usually not identified for producing plenty of meteors, usually known as “shooting stars.”

But the Leonids ought to dazzle with their brightness, colour and velocity. In reality, Leonid meteors are thought-about to be among the quickest of the yr.

In 2025, the Leonid meteor bathe will present an encore of kinds after the northern lights dazzled throughout a lot of the United States this week, together with as far south as Florida.

Could the moon or clouds spoil this yr’s view of the Leonids in 2025 in Mississippi? Here’s the whole lot to know in regards to the Leonid meteor bathe, its peak and the place you possibly can see them across the state.

When is the Leonid meteor bathe?

The Leonid meteor bathe already grew to become lively in 2025 starting Nov. 6, and is predicted to stay so till at the least Nov. 30, in accordance with the American Meteor Society.

Leonid meteor bathe 2025: Here’s when, what time, exercise peaks

In 2025, the Leonid meteor bathe is ready to peak between Sunday, Nov. 16, and Monday, Nov. 17, in accordance with the Planetary Society.

The greatest time to see meteors are usually between midnight and pre-dawn hours. Visit the web site TimeAndDate.com to search out one of the best instances and viewing instructions on your location.

How many meteors might be seen? Will there be a meteor storm?

Observed underneath darkish skies, the Leonids might produce wherever from about three to fifteen meteors per hour that whiz throughout that sky at almost 44 miles per second.

The Leonid bathe can also be identified for producing bigger, brighter explosions of sunshine often known as fireballs that persist longer than a typical meteor streak, in addition to so-called “Earth-grazers,” in accordance with NASA. These meteors earned their nickname as a result of they’ve lengthy and colourful tails that streak nearer to the horizon, NASA says.

The Leonid bathe is legendary for producing meteor storms – uncommon occasions the place round a whopping 1,000 meteors might be seen inside an hour – when the bathe’s father or mother comet makes its closest method to the solar amid its 33-year orbit. The final Leonid meteor storm on document, although, occurred in 2002, and one other yr with escalated exercise is not anticipated till at the least 2031, in accordance with the American Meteor Society.

Could the moon intrude with seeing the Leonids?

In 2025, a waning previous crescent moon will solely be 9% full in the course of the peak of the Leonids, that means it will likely be too dim to intrude with the view of the streaking meteors.

Weather, cloud forecast for Mississippi for meteor bathe

Of course, clouds within the sky might hamper the views.

Fortunately, the National Weather Service shared a graphic exhibiting comparatively clear skies for each nights of peak exercise in Mississippi, as indicated by the blue shading and low share numbers.

How to look at the Leonids: Tips for seeing streaking meteors

Though named after Leo as a result of the meteors appear to emerge – or radiate – from the identical space within the sky because the constellation, NASA advises stargazers to look away from the constellation to get one of the best views. The Leonids must be seen throughout the night time sky and can seem with an extended tail to spectators who view them away from their radiant.

Here are some common viewing suggestions from the house company:

• Find an space distant from road lights and the sunshine air pollution of cities.
• Come ready for cool temperatures with a sleeping bag, blanket or garden chair.
• Lie flat in your again together with your toes dealing with the east and lookup, taking in as a lot of the sky as doable.

It ought to take lower than half-hour on your eyes to adapt so to see streaking meteors. But be affected person, NASA warns: The present will final till daybreak.

Where are darkish sky places in Mississippi?

Go Astronomy lists among the greatest locations for seeing the night time sky with out gentle air pollution in Mississippi.

Places which have a Bortle dark-sky scale rating are offered. The nine-tier system ranks a 3 as a rural night time sky and a one as a wonderful darkish sky.

• Bienville National Forest: Bortle rating – 3.
• Clark Creek Natural Area: Bortle rating – 3.
• De Soto National Forest.
• Delta National Forest.
• French Camp.
• Holly Springs National Forest.
• Holmes County State Park: Bortle rating – 3.
• Homochitto National Forest: Bortle rating – 3.
• Leroy Percy State Park: Bortle rating – 3.
• Tishomingo State Park: Bortle rating – 3.
• Tombigbee National Forest.

The Natchez Trace Parkway has designated stargazing spots from dawn till 10 p.m.:

• Big Tree Overlook, milepost 439.4.
• Little Mountain Exhibit Shelter, milepost 193.1.
• Reservoir Overlook, milepost 105.6.

What causes the Leonids?

Meteor showers happen when Earth passes via dusty particles trails left by comets and different house objects as they orbit the solar.

The particles – house rocks often known as meteoroids – collides with Earth’s environment at excessive velocity and disintegrates, creating fiery and colourful streaks within the sky, according to NASA.

Those ensuing fireballs, higher often known as “shooting stars,” are meteors. If meteoroids survive their journey to Earth with out burning up within the environment, they’re known as meteorites, NASA says.

The items of house particles that work together with our environment to create the Leonids originate from 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, a small comet named for the 2 males who found it independently in 1865 and 1866, in accordance with NASA.

Are extra meteor showers coming in 2025?

Yes, a couple of extra extra wrap up fall and early winter, in accordance with AMS.

The Geminids might be from round Dec. 4-17.

Ursids might be seen from Dec. 17-26.

The Quandrantids will begin Dec. 28 and carry into the brand new yr. After they wrap up in mid-Janauary, there is a break till the Lyrids in April.

When is the December full moon 2025?

The December full moon, the Cold Moon, might be on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.

You can look ahead to one other supermoon.

When is the winter solstice in 2025?

The Winter Solstice might be on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. It’s the official begin of winter.

According to Old Farmer’s Almanac, Jackson will get about 10 hours and one minute of daylight.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.