Leonid Meteor Shower Set to Thrill Stargazers This Week

Posted: November 16, 2022 10:45 am

You may have to bundle up to make it happen but stargazers who can withstand the cold will be treated to one of the best meteor showers of the year that is set to peak in the coming days. Here is what you need to know about the upcoming Leonid meteor shower.

When to Catch the Leonid Meteor Shower

The Leonid meteor shower is the third and last event of its kind this month. While the Northern Taurids and Southern Taurids peaked at the beginning of November, the Leonids will see the highest rate of shooting stars beginning late Thursday and continuing through early Saturday morning. This will make Thursday and Friday nights the best time to see the show.

The Leonids typically generate about 15 shooting stars per hour on the peak viewing night. However, astronomers are predicting that this year’s event will produce rates almost 10 times greater than normal. Past Leonid shows have generated thousands of meteors per minute over a handful of years. While the 2022 event is not likely to climb to these numbers, experts are predicting a small outburst of debris that could boost the normal rate substantially.

Current estimates put the 2022 Leonid show at a potential of 50 to 200 meteors per hour. However, while the meteors will likely be streaking across the sky on Thursday and Friday, the exact peak time will be brief. Meteor experts say that the height of the activity will happen on Saturday morning between 1 am and 1:30 am EST, meaning that you will need to stay up late Friday to increase your odds.

It is important to remember that these estimates are not guaranteed. In addition, you are going to need relatively clear skies in your area to be able to see the shooting stars streaking across the night skies.

Meteor Shower

The most ideal viewing conditions on Thursday night into Friday are forecast for the mid-Atlantic, the Mississippi Valley, and the interior portions of the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest. Clouds are forecast to build downwind of the Great Lakes, creating less than ideal viewing opportunities for those in the Midwest and the interior Northeast. The Gulf Coast region and the Plains will also likely be under a cloud cover that hinders viewing. However, the coastal Northeast may luck out and see some breaks in the clouds on Thursday into Friday.

While most areas will likely see a similar forecast on Friday night into Saturday morning, the clouds may lift somewhat across the Gulf Coast. The Four Corners region and California may also see fewer clouds on Friday night, making it the better opportunity when compared to Thursday.

One of the biggest selling points of the Leonids compared to other meteor showers is that this show tends to produce brighter meteors. This brightness makes them easier to spot in cities or other areas with light pollution. However, you will increase your odds of spotting the beauties if you head out to a viewing area that is far from manmade light.

Looking Ahead to the Geminids

If you miss your chance to see the Leonids due to weather impacts, there will be another meteor shower unfolding in less than a month. The Geminid meteor shower is next on tap, set to take place on the night of Tuesday, December 13 into the early morning hours of Wednesday, December 14.

In a typical year, the Geminids are distinguished as one of the best showers of its kind with an average of up to 150 meteors per hour on display. However, the timing of a near full moon on this night in 2022 will dim the brightness of many of the meteors.

Following the Geminids, stargazers will want to put two additional meteor showers on their calendar for the future. The Ursids will peak on December 21 and 22 while the Quadantrids are set to put on show on January 3 and 4. There will then be a long lull in showers with the next one not happening until the end of April.

Did you find this content useful? Feel free to bookmark or to post to your timeline for reference later.

Recent Posts