This week the Leonid meteor shower will light up the sky 💫
It peaks tonight (Monday)
With 2020 being the year that Coronavirus has dominated the headlines, we look forward to the little bits of good news that might occasionally cross our path, and this week it's the Leonid meteor shower.
As autumn draws in and the early nights become a fixture for the next few months, now could be the time to turn to the sky for a natural 'firework' display.
If you're a bit of a night owl, and you can stay up until the early hours of 17th November, then you should be rewarded with around 10 - 20 meteors an hour - if you look to the East and the sky is clear of course.
What are the Leonids?
The Leonids are meteors (shooting starts) that appear to be coming from Leo (the lion) constellation.
The meteors are created by debris left by Comet Tempel-Tuttle which was discovered way back in 1866. It has an orbit of 33 years.
When can you see the Leonids?
You can see the Leonids any time between 6th and 30th November every year, however the peak in 2020 is in the early morning of 17th November. This year you can expect to see around 10 - 20 meteors (shooting stars) at its peak.
Why are they called the Leonids?
The Leonids get their name because they look like they're coming from Leo the lion.
Here are some tips on how to increase your chances of seeing the Leonids...
1. Dark sky
You might not realise how much light pollution there is in your neighbourhood, find out more about light pollution and where you can find a really dark sky here.
Allow your eyes 15 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Don't forget that the moon can also interfere so try to avoid times when it is visible.
2. Date and time
To increase your chances of seeing some meteors make sure you find out the best time to look for them. Often it is when the sky is at its darkest (in the middle of the night), or if there is a meteor shower, when the radiant (where the meteors come from - the constellation Leo) is high in the sky.
3. Look in the right area
It sounds obvious, but the sky is a very large area and meteors are very fast! Make sure you know which area of the sky you should be looking in. The Leonids come from Leo, the easiest way to find it would be to use a free sky map app on your phone. We've also included a video at the bottom of this page to help you find it.
4. Good weather
Again, it seems obvious, but there's no point in standing in the cold when it's cloudy. Check the weather forecast before going outside, and if it's going to be clear later on then wait until then if you can.
5. Don't use a telescope or binoculars
Using a telescope or binoculars will DECREASE your chances of seeing a meteor. Meteors are so quick that you are likely to miss them if you don't use the naked eye. Save your telescope or binoculars for the moon or planets.
NOW READ:
10 things you probably didn't know about shooting stars