The Leo meteor stream reaches its peak on November 17-18, when sky watchers in Russia can see up to 15 meteors per hour, according to the report. Astronomical expert Evgeny Burmistrov from Perm Technical University.
This flow is one of the most famous annual flows thanks to its high speed and wonderful visual effect.
Origin of the flow: Comet Tempel-Tuttle
The Leo meteor stream is associated with Comet Tempel-Tuttle, which was discovered by Ernest Tempel in 1865 and Horace Tuttle in 1866.
The comet orbits the sun a full circle every 33 years, and with each approach, ice evaporates and the dust and gas are emitted, forming a long tail of particles. When the Earth passes through this tail, meteors appear as bright flashes known as “shooting stars.”
Historical figures and forecasts
The first written mention of the Leo meteors dates back to 902 AD.
The 1833 peak recorded about 100,000 meteors per hour, the highest in history.
The last peaks were between 1999 and 2002, with more than 2,000 meteors per hour recorded in 2001.
The comet will approach again in 2031.
Distinctive characteristics of Leo meteors
The Leo meteors have a tremendous speed of up to 70 km/s, making them among the fastest meteors.
Many of them leave a long luminous trail, and sometimes appear with streaks brighter than Venus.
Best ways to watch
Optimal time: evening of November 17 around 21:00 Moscow time.
As the night progresses, the radiant rises in the sky, and the greatest number of meteors arrive near dawn.
It is recommended to observe the area around the constellation Leo rather than looking directly at it, so that the shooting star appears longer.
Choose a place away from city lights: fields, hills, or open countryside.
