Leonid Meteor Shower | 17th-18th November

The Leonid meteor shower is caused by the Earth flying through debris left by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Around every 33 years, we pass through a fresh debris deposit, which very occasionally produces bursts of thousands of meteors per minute.

Is it worth me getting out of bed for the Leonid meteor shower?

Yes, it is. The Moon will have already set ahead of the Leonids this year, creating ideal dark sky conditions for meteor watching. Even better, you’ll have Jupiter and Mars to gaze at alongside the shooting stars: the planets will both be bright and quite close together. That makes three reasons to get out of bed at 3 in the morning!

When and where do I look for the Leonids meteors?

he Leonid meteor shower lasts from 6 to 30 of November, and peaks from 3:00am until dawn on 18 November. Look above the northern eastern horizon.

At the Leonids’ peak and under ideal dark sky conditions, you might expect to see up to 15 meteors per hour. However, this presumes you’re viewing them in a perfectly dark sky and that the meteor shower is directly overhead, because the Leonids’ radiant point is low on the horizon, it’s more likely that you will see fewer than that. But keep your fingers crossed for a spectacular show.

Use the above image as your guide. Astronomical images provided by SkySafari, a Simulation Curriculum Company, All rights reserved www.simulationcurriculum.com.

What is a meteor shower?

A meteor (commonly called a “shooting star”) is an unexpected, brief streak of light you might see in the night sky. The streak of light is caused by space debris, which can be as tiny as a single grain of sand and travelling at speeds of up to 75km per second when it hits our atmosphere. When this debris burns up in Earth’s atmosphere, it causes a brief, bright streak of light in the sky, and it’s usually only visible for a few seconds.

A meteor shower is a celestial spectacle where large numbers of meteors, or “shooting stars”, streak across the night sky. These dazzling events occur when Earth passes through the debris trail left by a comet or other object that entered our Solar System and orbited the Sun.

Meteor showers are visible to the naked eye and offer you a mesmerising display of bright streaks of light. We think they add a touch of cosmic wonder to the night.

Where’s the best place for me to watch a meteor shower?

The best place for you to watch a meteor shower is away from bright city lights, when the night sky is dark and with no moonlight. Bright moonlight and light pollution make it harder to see fainter meteors, however you may still be able to see the brighter ones.

Travel out to a dark sky location at one of WA’s Astrotourism Towns. If you’re an astrophotographer, it is an excellent opportunity to image meteors over some of WA’s iconic landscapes.

Do I need a telescope or binoculars to see the Leonid meteors?

You don’t need either a telescope or binoculars to see a meteor shower. Meteor showers make for a great time to gather with friends under the stars. Simply roll out your favourite picnic rug, pack the drinks and snacks, and start counting how many “shooting stars” you see!

Something interesting

In 1833, the Leonid meteor shower frightened and amazed people across the eastern USA, as they witnessed tens of thousands of meteors per hour. Reports at the time described it as “like the planets and constellations were falling from their places.”

The next Leonid storm is predicted for 2034, so put it in your diaries.

You might like to report a fireball!

Be a citizen scientist and report meteor sightings. If you happen to see a very bright meteor (often referred to as a “fireball”), the fireballs team based at WA’s Curtin University would love to know. Report your fireball sighting with the International Meteor Organization.

The International Meteor Organization is a great place to discover more about all things meteors, check out their Meteor Shower Calendar, and you can even become a member.