Starwatch: the Leonids meteor shower reaches its peak | Astronomy
IIt’s time again for one of the most reliable meteor showers of the year: the Leonids. Active between the beginning of November and the beginning of December, the showers experience a strong peak this week, expected during the night of November 16 to 17.
The meteors take their name from the constellation Leo, the lion, and appear to emanate from the region of the “lion’s head”, an asterism known as a sickle because of its shape.
Once part of the tail of comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, this cloud of dust particles now produces about 10 to 15 bright meteors per hour.
These fast-moving meteors enter Earth’s atmosphere at about 70 km/s and leave straight, bright trails that persist in the air.
Although the Leonids are capable of causing spectacular meteor storms, with rates of several hundred or thousands per hour, there is no forecast of such an explosion in 2025.
For viewers in the UK and other northern hemisphere viewers, the best time to watch is in the early morning, when Leo is higher in the sky and the night is darkest. The graphic shows the view eastwards from London at midnight, as November 16 becomes November 17. Warm clothes, a deck chair and patience are essential when watching a meteor shower.
