leonid meteor shower

This November 2000 NASA file image obtained 6 November 2001 shows a meteor streaking across the sky during the Leonid meteor shower. A dazzling Leonid light show is expected again in the early morning hours 18 November as viewers in North America may see a two-hour burst of shooting stars with up to 20 shooting stars per minute. Meteors are commonly called shooting stars however,the flares of light in the sky are actually not stars, but material from comets. In this case, the flares come from the tail of comet Tempel-Tuttle, which sheds dust and gas particles as it streaks a path through the solar system once every 33 years. Photo: AFP NASA

Leonid Meteor Shower 2019: What you need to know [live stream]

November’s Leonid meteor shower is associated with the Tempel-Tuttle comet, which passes by Earth every 33 years.

leonid meteor shower

This November 2000 NASA file image obtained 6 November 2001 shows a meteor streaking across the sky during the Leonid meteor shower. A dazzling Leonid light show is expected again in the early morning hours 18 November as viewers in North America may see a two-hour burst of shooting stars with up to 20 shooting stars per minute. Meteors are commonly called shooting stars however,the flares of light in the sky are actually not stars, but material from comets. In this case, the flares come from the tail of comet Tempel-Tuttle, which sheds dust and gas particles as it streaks a path through the solar system once every 33 years. Photo: AFP NASA

The Leonid meteor shower – or just Leonids, for short – peaks between 3:00 and 6:00 on 18 November. However, don’t worry too much if you miss out on seeing it. It’s a bit cloudy today, after all.

Even though it peaks in South Africa on the 18th, and elsewhere in the world on the 17th, you’d still be able to see a few streaks up until 30 November as well. It’s the second meteor shower for November.

What are the Leonids?

The Leonid meteor shower is associated with the comet Tempel-Tuttle, which was first observed in 902 AD, which passes by Earth every 33 years. The meteor shower gets its name from the Leo constellation.

We get to see the particles left behind by Tempel-Tuttle when Earth passes through the icy meteoroid stream every year, starting from 6 November and lasting until the end of the month.

The meteor shower is the brightest whenever the comet passes by Earth. However, the comet will only return in 2031, so we’ll have to make do with what we get tonight.

Is it visible from South Africa?

Yes, NASA assures that the Leonids are visible from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. This year, the peak is expected to be at around 3;00 SAST on 18 November and will last until the early morning hours.

We should, however, not get our hopes up. There are three factors which might hinder visibility. Firstly, this year’s meteor shower is expected to be mild.

In addition, it’s cloudy in some parts of South Africa tonight, and then there’s also the waning gibbous moon which is set to light up the predawn night sky.

How to view the Leonid meteor shower

All you have to do is find a nice, dark spot away from light pollution, lie flat on your back if possible, and look up in the northeast direction. Take in as much of the sky as you can.

Do note that the Leo constellation does not come fully into view until after midnight, so heading out too early might end up being a disappointment.

Leonid meteor shower
Image via TimeAndDate.com

The darker, the better, if you can get out of the city, by all means, do that. Take a blanket or comfortable chair and go early. And you won’t need expensive equipment either. Just a dark sky and patience.

Your eyes will need about 20 to 30 minutes do adjust to the dark. According to NASA, stargazes would be able to see up to 20 streaks per hour.

The best viewing opportunity is tonight after midnight, when the constellation Leo rises above the eastern horizon. Leonids can be viewed any place on Earth except Antarctica — given the sky is clear.

NASA

Watch: The Leonid Meteor Shower

This stream is live from Bangor in North Ireland

What happens during a meteor shower?

The simplest explanation is that a meteor or meteoroid is a space rock that enters Earth’s atmosphere. The bright streak you see, the meteor’s ‘tail’, is just glowing hot air.

When several space rocks move through our atmosphere, we call it a meteor shower. In most instances, space rocks are debris left behind in a comet’s orbit. NASA explains:

“As a comet gets closer to the sun, some of its icy surface boils off, releasing lots of particles of dust and rock. This comet debris gets strewn out along the comet’s path, especially in the inner solar system (where we live) as the sun’s heat boils off more and more ice and debris.”