If you can see it through the snow clouds, stargazers are set to be treated to a spectacular sight of the Leonid meteor shower over the UK this week.
Despite many worrying about showers of snow over much of the country, those looking to the skies will be able to spot the meteors tonight if the weather is clear enough where you are before the snow comes down.
The Leonids – one of the more prolific annual displays – are usually fast, bright meteors and are associated with Comet Tempel-Tuttle.
A tiny path of debris is left by the comet as it follows its path around the Sun and this enters Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per second, vaporising and causing the streaks of light we call meteors.
The Leonid meteor shower is expected to peak on the night of November 17 and into the early hours of Monday, November 18 there will be up to 15 meteors an hour flashing across the sky.
The meteors will be visible from midnight tonight/tomorrow morning, and continue for several hours until the dawn.
The Leonids are named as such because they appear to stream from the head of the constellation Leo the Lion.
NASA said: “The Leonids, which peak during mid-November each year, are considered to be a major shower though meteor rates are often as low as about 15 meteors per hour. The Leonids are bright meteors and can also be colorful. They are also fast: Leonids travel at speeds of 44 miles (71 kilometers) per second, and they are considered to be some of the fastest meteors.
“Every 33 years, or so, viewers on Earth may experience a Leonid storm that can peak with hundreds to thousands of meteors seen per hour depending on the location of the observer.”
A clear sky and the darkest possible conditions – away from artificial light – will create the best possible conditions for catching a glimpse of the display.
Experts say no specialist equipment is needed to see the display as it will be visible to the naked eye.
NASA adds: “The Leonids are best viewed starting at about midnight local time. Find an area well away from the city or street lights. Come prepared for winter temperatures with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair. Orient yourself with your feet toward the east, lie flat on your back, and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.
“In less than 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors. Be patient – the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.”
Shyam Balaji, researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King’s College London, said: “To look for the Leonids, choose a spot away from city lights and other sources of light pollution.
“The meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation Leo, which rises in the east around midnight.
“However, meteors can be seen all across the sky. Since the meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Leo, this is how the shower gets its name.
“This is where you should look. Bring a reclining chair, sleeping bag or blanket.
“Lie flat on your back with your feet pointing east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.”
Those missing out on the shower’s peak will still have a chance to glimpse the display as it continues for several days afterwards although the showers might be overshadowed by the snow forecast to fall from Monday night into Tuesday.
In fact, with skies being taken over by thick snow clouds from 7pm on Monday until Tuesday morning, according to Met Office forecasts, it may be much more difficult to glimpse the Leonid shower after Sunday night.
