One of the year's most prolific meteor showers to light up the night sky this weekend
Summary
The Leonid meteor shower will be visible across the UK during November, with its peak expected on the night of 17 November. Forecasters expect cloud and possible fog to limit viewing in some areas this weekend, while conditions may be better near the peak.Key Facts
- The Leonid shower runs through 30 November and is expected to peak on 17 November.
- At peak, observers may see about 10 to 15 meteors per hour.
- The meteors come from debris shed by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle.
- Leonid particles enter Earth’s atmosphere at up to 71 kilometres per second, making them among the fastest meteors.
- The meteors can be seen with the naked eye from a safe, dark location away from artificial lights.
- The shower’s radiant, where the meteors seem to originate, is near the head of the constellation Leo.
- Cloud is forecast in many parts of the UK this weekend; southern and western England and Wales may have the best chances of clear skies on Friday and Saturday.
- Near the shower’s peak, the Moon will be below the horizon around midnight, reducing its light in the sky.
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