The Leonid meteor shower will light up the UK night sky this weekend.
The annual rainfall is one of the most spectacular events in space, and since most of the country will have a relatively clear night, people should have the opportunity to see it at its best.
Here you will find everything you need to know about the Leonids and all the tips on how to see them.
What is the Leonids meteor shower?
Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through a cloud of debris from a comet. In this case, the Leonid meteor shower is caused by the Earth moving through the debris left behind by Comet Tempel-Tuttle.
As a comet orbits the Sun, it leaves a trail of small debris behind it. Debris from a comet enters our planet’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 70 km per second, evaporates and creates streaks of light that we call meteors.
The radiant (the name for the point where meteors appear to fly) is at the apex of the constellation Leo, which is how the shower gets its name.
When can I see the Leonids?
In 2023, the Leonids meteor shower will be active from November 6 to 30 and will peak between midnight and sunrise on November 17-18.
On these nights you can see up to 15 meteors every hour.
The best time to see them is in the middle of the night when it is completely dark.
What are the best tips for seeing them?
Meteors can be seen with the naked eye, so binoculars or a telescope are not needed.
However, you should give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness when you go out to observe. This means you shouldn’t look at bright lights, for example. B. on the phone screen.
For best conditions, you should find a safe location, away from street lights and other sources of light pollution.
Meteors can be seen all over the sky, so it’s good to be in a wide open space where you can view the night sky, away from tall buildings and trees.
The Royal Greenwich Observatory advises: “Meteorite hunting, like all other astronomy, is a game of waiting. So it’s best to bring a comfortable chair to sit on and dress warmly because then you can be outside for a while.” They can be seen with the naked eye, so you won’t need binoculars or a telescope, although you do have your own. Your eyes need to get used to the dark.”
Source: I News
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