The Leonid meteor shower peaks tonight – like seeing it in the UK

Here’s everything you need to know about it

What are the Leonids?

Leonids come from leftover particles from Comet 55P / Tempel-Tuttle.

These fireballs appear to radiate from the constellation of Leo.

Visualizations are best when the comet, which takes 33 years to orbit the sun, is closer to Earth.

The latter occurred in 2009, with a staggering 500 shooting stars recorded every hour.

The next such event is expected in about 13 years.

What time is the meteor shower tonight?

Most meteor showers are best seen after midnight and before sunrise when the skies are darker.

What does NASA say?

NASA advised: “Leonids are best seen starting at midnight local time. Find an area well away from city lights or street lights.

“Prepare for winter temperatures with a sleeping bag, blanket or garden chair.

“Orient yourself with your feet to the east, lie on your back and look up, observing as much of the sky as possible.

“In less than 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adjust and you will start seeing meteors.

“Be patient – the show will run until dawn, so you have plenty of time to check it out.”

How to see the Leonids

This particular celestial event is called Leonids because shooting stars appear to “radiate” from the constellation Leo.

We recommend looking towards Leo for the best chance of spotting meteors, although they can appear anywhere in the night sky.

Meteorite observers should look from a perspective with as little light pollution as possible; those in rural areas will no doubt have a clearer view.

Weather also plays a role and a cloudy night can derail your chances of spotting meteors, so keep an eye out for local weather forecasts.

When is the next meteor shower?

If you miss the Leonid Meteor Shower tonight, there are two more showers scheduled before the end of the year.

The Geminids will peak from December 13-14, while the Ursids will peak from December 21-22.