Leonid meteor shower is the next celestial spectacle on November 17 and 18: All you need to know

After witnessing the spectacular supermoon, night gazers have got another reason to rejoice. The next supermoon will not happen before 2034 but the month of November has more to offer in terms of celestial spectacle. The Leonid meteor shower is just round the corner and is set to take place between November 17 and 18.

All you need to do is gaze at the sky between November 17 midnight and November 18 dawn from a wide viewing point. Around 13 tonnes of dust and rock particles were deposited in the Earth’s atmosphere during the meteor shower last year.

Here is all you need to know about the Leonid meteor shower:

What is the Leonid meteor shower?

The Leonid meteor shower is witnessed once in a year and is usually peak around this time. When the Earth crosses the orbital path of Comet Tempel-Tuttle, which, clutters its orbit with debris particles, the Leonid meteor shower occurs.

The debris of the comet enters the Earth’s atmosphere and vaporises, and this is the time when we see the Leonid meteor shower.

How many meteors will appear?

Before dawn, recorded typical rates are around 10-15 meteors per hour. If you watch it from a wide, dark and rural location, you will get the best view.

Best way to see Leonid meteor shower

As per Chronicle Live, astronomers suggest lying down on the ground and looking at the sky between the East and the point right above you to view the Leonids.

Best time to view the Leonid meteor shower

The best time to view the Leonid meteor shower is just after midnight and right before the dawn. Leonids flash greatest meteor numbers after midnight and just before dawn.

Best places to see them Leonid meteor shower

The Leonid meteor shower will be best seen in the Northern Hemisphere. The International Dark Sky Association awarded gold tier designation to the Northumberland National Park, Europe’s largest area of protected night sky, according to Chronicle Live. Thus, it became officially the best place for people to enjoy the skies in England.

Many venues within the park offer a prime spot for sky gazers including Kielder Observatory, Cawfields Picnic Site on Hadrian’s Wall, Alwinton Car Park, Walltown Country Park, Stonehaugh and Wooler Common.