The annual Leonid meteor shower is active from November 6 to 30, but will peak on the evening of November 17, and in clear, light-free skies, observers can see up to about 15 meteors per hour.

This year, viewing conditions are some of the best in recent years, with the moon barely in the way. According to the American Meteor Society, the thin waning crescent of moonlight will rise only in the predawn hours, leaving the bulk of the night free of moonlight.

The Leonids are known for their high speed: particles crash into the Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of about 70 kilometers per second. This speed often produces bright meteors that leave long-lasting trails.

The cause of the phenomenon is small particles of comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle burning up in the atmosphere. The comet orbits the Sun approximately once every 33 years and is expected to return to the inner Solar System in 2031.

The Leonids are known throughout history for their rare but spectacular meteor storms, with than 1,000 meteors per hour observed in 1833, 1866, 1966, 1999, 2001 and 2002. The storm of 1966 is rightfully considered one of the greatest – in 15 minutes, observers saw so many meteors that it seemed as if it was raining. Dense debris flows are not expected this year, making a meteor storm unlikely.

The Leonids appear to be coming from the constellation Leo, which rises in the east after midnight, but meteors can be seen anywhere in the sky. Binoculars or a small telescope can help you see individual meteors and their trails.

After the Leonids, the next major event is the Geminids, considered the most productive meteor shower of the year. They peak on December 13–14, and under favorable conditions, up to 140 shooting stars can be seen per hour.