The Leonid meteor shower is slated to peak on the evening of November 16 and 17, 2024 after having been active all of November so far. According to the American Meteor Society, the shower was first active on November 3, and will run through December 2, 2024.
According to Space.com, the Leonid meteor shower will be visible around the Leo constellation, its namesake, as it originates from that direction. It will be easy to spot, as they tend to have glowing trails, comprised of debris.
All we know about this year's Leonid meteor showers: How to view it, when it will be seen again, and its genesis
To best see the Leonid meteor shower, you'll have to go to the darkest location you can find. From there, it's smooth sailing, as there's no need for any telescopes or binoculars. However, keep in mind that you will have to leave a gap of at least 30 minutes to allow your eyes to get accustomed to the dark for maximum viewing efficiency.
The Leonids will only be visible if the skies are clear, and according to MoonPhases.org, this likely won't be the case, as the moon is expected to be at almost full strength around that time.
According to USA Today, the Leonid meteor shower is an annual event, and it's mostly visible when the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, a parent object, is the closest it will ever get to the sun. This is known as perihelion. The Earth traverses through the comet's debris field, and the glowing streaks can be attributed to the fragments that enter the Earth's atmosphere.
As per the American Meteor Society, Leonid meteor shower has previously occured in the years 1833, 1866, 1966, 1999, 2001, and 2002. After 2024, however, the next time we will be able to see Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle will only be in 2031 and 2064. Until then, it is unlikely for any meteor storms to take place.
Notably, the Northern Taurid meteor shower will also be peaking a few days before the Leonid on November 12. Akin to the Leonid meteor shower, these will be seen around the Taurus constellation, when it sits just above the horizon. However, USA Today reports that this year's view may not be great, as the bright beaver's supermoon is expected to make an appearance that night.
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Once the Leonid meteor showers pass, the Earth can expect to see the Geminids, which are the strongest and most consistent of its kind. These will be visible in the mornings of December 13 and 14. The Ursids will also make an appearance from December 13 to 24, and the best time to view these "low-key" meteor showers is on December 22 and 23.
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