Timelapse captures Perseids meteors over Oregon
A timelapse taken from the summit of Oregon’s Black Crater volcano captured the Perseids meteor shower on August 7.
The Leonid meteor shower occurs each year in November and peaks toward the middle of the month. The Leonids are bright meteors, can also be colorful, and are considered to be some of the fastest meteors out there, according to NASA.
They’re also known for periodic storms every 33 years or so, which can result in hundreds to thousands of meteors seen per hour on Earth — depending on the location of the viewer.
No storm is predicted for 2021, but stargazers can still see plenty of meteors during the activity period of Nov. 6-10. The shower will peak early in the morning on Nov. 17, according to EarthSky, which offers night sky and science news.
Leonids are also known for their fireballs, which are larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak, as well as "earthgrazers," which are meteors that streak close to the horizon and are known for their long and colorful tails, NASA says.
FILE - Leonids meteor streaks across the sky over Gudul district of Ankara, Turkey on Nov. 17, 2020. (Photo by Dogukan Keskinkilic/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
How many Leonid meteors will be visible in 2021?
Skywatchers can expect to see anywhere from 10 to 15 meteors an hour at the peak of the Leonid meteor shower, according to EarthSky. And that is under ideal conditions, which includes a rural location and a moon that’s absent in the sky.
"In 2021, we have to deal with a waxing gibbous moon, which will make it hard to see fainter meteors. The best time to look is just before dawn (on Nov. 17) after the moon has set," the website states.
Where to watch the 2021 Leonid meteor shower and other viewing tips
The Leonids are best viewed starting at about midnight local time and in an area away from city or street lights — preferably in the country or other rural setting, NASA says.
"Come prepared for winter temperatures with a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair. Orient yourself with your feet towards east, lie flat on your back, and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. In less than 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors," the space agency recommends.
"Be patient — the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse," it adds.
EarthSky has a page dedicated to finding the best places on Earth to stargaze. You can also determine meteor shower activity by location here.
Where do the Leonid meteors come from?
Meteors come from leftover comet particles and bits from broken asteroids, NASA explains online. The pieces of space debris that interact with our atmosphere to create the Leonids come from the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle.
When comets come around the sun, such as the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle does once every 33 years, the dust they emit gradually spreads into a dusty trail around their orbits.
Every year, the Earth passes through these trails of debris — which allows the bits to collide with our atmosphere where they disintegrate to create fiery streaks in the sky.
Bright meteor flashes across sky in Brittany, France
A meteor lit up the night as it crossed the sky above of Brittany, France, on Sept. 5, 2021. Credit - Damgan La Roche Bernard Tourisme via Storyful
The Leonid shower is famous for producing meteor storms, according to EarthSky. Its parent comet Tempel-Tuttle releases fresh material every time it approaches the sun every 33 years, prompting the periodic storms.
The 1833 Leonid meteor storm produced more than 100,000 meteors an hour, EarthSky said.
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This story was reported from Cincinnati.
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