In a rare celestial event that captivated stargazers, a Leonid meteor blazed across the night sky, leaving behind a luminous vapor trail. The spectacular sight was captured on camera, providing a visual feast for astronomy enthusiasts and casual observers alike.
The Leonid meteor shower peaked last weekend and is known for its fast-moving meteors that can produce such dramatic displays. The meteors are produced by debris shed from the comet Tempel-Tuttle as it orbits the Sun. The debris consists of sand-to-pea-sized particles, or meteoroids, ejected from the comet when its ice vaporizes due to sunlight. The particles then fly through Earth’s atmosphere, causing them to burn.
During the Leonids’ peak this year, the rate of meteors per hour was around 10 per hour. Those looking for shooting stars are advised to set their alarms for midnight and go outside to see the show. Observers don’t need specialized equipment to catch the show but should be positioned away from city lights and streetlamps to get the best view. The ideal location is a dark-sky site that offers open views toward the constellation Leo, the Lion.
At its peak, the meteor shower will be visible over a wide area of the world. Observers on the West and East coasts of the United States will have the best chance to see the display. They can expect clear skies, and the forecast doesn’t call for rain. The Leonids are known for producing striking fireballs, Earth grazers, and meteors that streak close to the horizon.
Those planning to watch the Leonid meteor shower should look east after midnight. The constellation Leo the Lion will be entirely above the eastern horizon then. Once the sky gets darker, it will take less than 30 minutes for a person’s eyes to adjust to the darkness and start to see the shooting stars.
This year’s Leonids peak overnight on November 17 into the early morning of November 18. The waxing crescent Moon will set early and will only interfere a little with the viewing experience because it is only about a quarter full. The expected maximum rate of meteors is about 10 to 15 per hour under ideal conditions.
The meteors are triggered by the periodic arrival of debris from the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which takes 33 years to complete its orbital journey around the Sun. The particles from this comet are usually sand-to-pea-sized, but when it comes close to the Sun, heat vaporizes some of its ice and carries away bits of rock and dust. These rocky fragments, or meteoroids, then orbit the Sun independently, with some of them being drawn into a dense stream that Earth passes through each year during the Leonids. The next time the Leonids produce such a meteor storm will be in 2033. Then, the rate could reach hundreds of meters per hour.
