The brand new moon falls on the evening of October 21–22, and within the surrounding week the moon will set nicely earlier than midnight, so you should have good viewing situations to see this meteor bathe.
The Leonids (November–December)
The Leonids are energetic from about November 3 to December 2. They’ve a pointy peak, producing probably the most meteors in a single day from November 16 to November 17, in accordance with the American Meteor Society. Different organizations, nonetheless, predict that this bathe will peak from November 17 to November 18. Through the Leonids’ peak, you’ll be able to anticipate to see about 15 meteors per hour beneath darkish skies.
Though the Leonids produce fewer meteors than many different of the key meteor showers, they’re recognized for producing fast-moving, vivid, fireball meteors.
The Leonids peak simply earlier than the brand new moon—on the morning of November 18, the moon will likely be simply 6 p.c illuminated and within the japanese US gained’t rise till round 5 am on November 17, so that you’ll have ample time to see this meteor bathe beneath good viewing situations.
The Leonids’ radiant is the constellation Leo, which rises round midnight native time and is highest within the sky round daybreak.
The Geminids (December)
The Geminids are energetic from about December 4 to December 17, peaking in a single day from December 13 to December 14. They’ve a pointy peak, so the evening of the thirteenth is the perfect time for skywatching.
The Geminids are probably the most spectacular meteor bathe of the yr: Along with boasting as much as 120 and even 150 meteors per hour throughout its peak, this meteor bathe can also be the brightest and most colourful of the yr.
The Geminids are vivid, slow-moving meteors that usually have yellow tones, however they could be a vary of different colours, together with inexperienced, blue, white, crimson, or orange. And in contrast to most meteors, that are attributable to comet particles, the Geminids are the remnant of an asteroid.
The evening that the Geminids’ peak, the their radiant, the constellation Gemini, will likely be above the horizon all evening and can attain its highest level round 2 am native time, so meteors will likely be seen nearly the entire evening.
That very same evening, the moon will likely be about 32 p.c illuminated and can rise round 1:30 am within the japanese US, so if you happen to watch this bathe shortly after midnight, the moonlight gained’t intrude along with your viewing expertise.
The Ursids (December)
The Ursids are energetic round December 17 to December 26, peaking within the early morning hours of December 22. This meteor bathe is much less energetic than others, usually yields about 10 meteors per hour; nonetheless, viewing situations will likely be good for skywatching. The moon will set at roughly 6 pm within the japanese US on the twenty first, so no moonlight will intrude with this meteor bathe.
Despite the fact that the Ursids usually produce probably the most meteors simply earlier than daybreak, when its radiant, the Little Dipper (or Ursa Minor), is highest within the sky, it is possible for you to to see meteors all through the whole evening throughout this bathe’s peak. In northern latitudes the Ursids’ radiant is above the horizon all evening.
