Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend: Viewing Tips for a Nearly Full Moon
WASHINGTON — While a supermoon is a captivating sight, its bright glow will be nearly full during the peak of the Leonid meteor shower this weekend, likely obscuring most meteors, except for the brightest ones, in many locations.
The Leonids are known for their high-speed meteors, which can reach speeds of up to 44 miles per second (70 kilometers per second).
“Unfortunately this year, the viewing conditions will be affected” by a nearly full moon, said Shyam Balaji of King’s College London. “Watching during the early morning hours, when the moon is lower in the sky, can .”
Under ideal viewing conditions, this shower could produce around 15 visible meteors per hour.
This year’s peak activity on Sunday will occur when the moon is 98% full. The shower continues through December 2.
Here’s what to know about the Leonids and other meteor showers.
What is a meteor shower?
Multiple meteor showers occur annually, and you don’t need any special equipment to enjoy them.
Most meteor showers originate from the debris of comets. The Leonids are associated with comet Tempel-Tuttle.
When rocks from space enter Earth’s atmosphere, the air resistance causes them to heat up significantly. This results in a glowing trail of air around the rock, creating a brief, fiery spectacle — the end of a “shooting star.”
The glowing pockets of air surrounding these fast-moving space rocks, ranging in size from a dust particle to a boulder, can be visible in the night sky.
How to view a meteor shower
Meteor showers are typically most visible between midnight and predawn hours.
Viewing shooting stars is easier under dark skies, away from city lights. Meteor showers also appear brightest on cloudless nights when the moon is at its smallest.
And to enhance your ability to see meteors, it’s best to avoid looking at your phone.
When is the next meteor shower?
The meteor society maintains an updated list of upcoming major meteor showers, including the peak viewing days and moonlight conditions.
The next major shower is the Geminid meteor shower, which peaks in mid-December.