Nov 17, 2016
The Leonids, according to time&date.com, will peak on the night of November 17 and early morning of November 18 in 2016, just 3 days after a Full Moon.
The Leonid meteor shower has produced some of the most spectacular meteor displays in history, but it is unfortunately periodic in nature.
We suggest that observers try their luck after nightfall on November 18.
The Leonid meteor shower is annually active in the month of November and usually peaks around November 17 or 18. The shower is called Leonids because its radiant or the point in the sky where the meteors seem to emerge from, lies in the constellation Leo.
The Leonids occur when the Earth passes through the debris left by the comet Tempel-Tuttle. The comet takes around 33 years to make one orbit around the Sun.
People can view about 20 meteors an hour at the peak of the Leonids meteor shower.
Where to View the Leonids
The Leonids can be seen by viewers from both hemispheres.
While it is not necessary to look in a particular direction to enjoy a meteor shower, 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.
When to View the Leonids
The best time to view the Leonids is after dark, but a bright Waning Gibbous Moon may make it difficult for viewers to see many meteors.
Location in the Sky
The best date to view the Leonids meteor shower is around Nov 17, 2016; the table below is for that date:
| Leonids meteor shower for New York (Night between Nov 17 and Nov 18) |
| Time |
Azimuth/Direction |
Altitude |
| Thu 11:00 PM |
62° |
1.6° |
| Midnight Thu-Fri |
71° |
11.8° |
| Fri 1:00 AM |
80° |
22.8° |
| Fri 2:00 AM |
89° |
34.1° |
| Fri 3:00 AM |
100° |
45.5° |
| Fri 4:00 AM |
114° |
56.4° |
| Fri 5:00 AM |
135° |
65.8° |
| Fri 6:00 AM |
171° |
71.1° |
Note: times are for Nov 17, 2016.
How to Watch Meteor Showers
Check the weather: Meteors, or shooting stars, are easy to spot, all you need is clear skies and a pair of eyes.
Image: Leonid meteors, viewed from space in 1997 - NASA
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