Leonid meteor bathe 2020: When, where & how to see it

In mid-November, the fickle Leonid meteor bathe hits Earth once all any other time. This annual meteor bathe, which peaks overnight on Nov 16-17, is accountable for about a of basically the most intense meteor storms in historical previous. In most cases, meteors tumble at charges as high as 50,000 per hour.

These meteor storms handiest happen rarely ever, but viewers this yr will see extra Leonid meteors than in 2019, because the thin, crescent moon will be handiest 5% illuminated all the contrivance during the night of the pause. Primarily the most handy time to gaze in previous years used to be sooner than morning time spherical 3 a.m. EST (0800 GMT) on the morning of the pause, in step with Jane Houston Jones of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 

Associated: High 10 Leonid meteor bathe facts

When to see the Leonids

The Leonid meteor bathe peaks on the night of Monday, Nov. 16, and early the next morning. Skywatchers can even very effectively be ready to see some meteors on days correct sooner than and after the pause. 

In accordance to NASA meteor expert Invoice Cooke, with out moonlight skywatchers can anticipate to see spherical 10-15 meteors per hour all the contrivance during the pause. 

Where to see them

The Leonid meteor bathe will get its name from the constellation Leo, the lion, where its meteors appear to execute. But it is possible you’ll perhaps gaze in precisely about any direction to revel in the exhibit, Cooke mentioned. Within the event you immediately face Leo, it’s also possible to miss the meteors with longer tails.

Despite the truth that the meteor bathe can even very effectively be barely simpler to see from the Northern Hemisphere, skywatchers in the Southern Hemisphere needs so that you simply can see the exhibit as effectively. “They’re now not moderately as honest correct, but almost as honest correct,” mentioned Cooke. “The Leonids are an OK bathe from the Southern Hemisphere.”

Associated: Most amazing Leonid meteor bathe photos

What causes the Leonids?

The Leonid meteor bathe happens every yr in November, when Earth’s orbit crosses the orbit of Comet Tempel-Tuttle. The comet makes its system spherical the sun every 33.3 years, leaving a toddle of grime rubble in its wake.

When Earth’s orbit crosses this toddle of particles, objects of the comet tumble in direction of the planet’s surface. Coast, or air resistance, in Earth’s ambiance trigger the comet’s crumbs to warmth up and ignite into burning balls of fireplace known as meteors. 

Associated: How comets trigger meteor showers

These comet crumbs are most frequently the dimensions of a grain of sand or a pea, so they have a tendency to dissipate fully sooner than placing Earth’s surface. Meteors that continue to exist the total toddle to the bottom are known as meteorites. However the Leonid meteor bathe likely acquired’t bring any meteorites.

What attain it is a must-must see them?

Meteors are considered to the bare gaze, so that you simply acquired’t need any special equipment to see them. 

“Coast start air, salvage a unlit sky, lie flat for your abet and gaze straight up,” Cooke mentioned, “and be prepared to employ about a hours start air.”

Provided that the meteors are barely sparse and purchase plight all the contrivance through a chilly time of yr, it is handiest to bundle up and nonetheless down.

Electronic mail Hanneke Weitering at [email protected] or put together her @hannekescience. Apply us @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Extra reporting by Elizabeth Howell, Location.com contributor.