The Leonids, which have produced some of the most spectacular meteor displays in history, will streak through the night sky between the night of November 17 and early morning of November 18 in 2016, just 3 days after a Full Moon.
Stargazers should be able to view the shower despite visibility being poor due to the bright light from a waning gibbous moon. This will likely outshine some of the meteors, but you still should be able to see them.
If you want to see the meteors flying through the sky you need to peer into the dark sky between midnight and dawn and watch from a wide viewing point.
Read on for all you need to know about when and where to see the stunning night sky event... and remember to send in your photographs.
What exactly is the Leonid meteor shower?
The Leonids arrive every year. The shower usually peaks around mid November from the 17 or 18. It occurs when Earth crosses the orbital path of Comet Tempel-Tuttle, which, like all comets, litters its orbit with bits of debris. It’s when this comet debris enters Earth’s atmosphere, and vaporizes, that we see the Leonid meteor shower.
This annual meteor shower is responsible for some of the most intense meteor storms in history, with meteors falling at rates as high as 50,000 per hour. This year's Leonid meteor shower won't be quite as impressive, though, as it will not be in outburst.
How many Leonid meteors will I see?
The Leonids are usually a modest shower, with typical rates of about 10 to 15 meteors per hour at the peak, in the darkness before dawn. However, you will get the best view if you’re watching from a wide-opening viewing are in a dark, rural location.
How often does it happen?
The Leonid meteor shower is annually active in the month of November and is called Leonids because its radiant, meaning the point in the sky where the meteors seem to emerge from, lies in the constellation Leo.
When can I see the Leonids?
The Leonids can be seen from both hemispheres. While it is not necessary to look in a particular direction to enjoy a meteor shower – just lie down on the ground and look directly above and you are bound to see some meteors. 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 is the best time to view the Leonids?
The best time to view the Leonids is just after midnight and right before dawn. Like many meteor showers, the Leonids ordinarily pick up steam after midnight and display the greatest meteor numbers just before dawn.
Where are the best places to see them?
The good news is that with little moon coverage to spoil things, the showers will be best seen in the Northern Hemisphere.
Stargazers are advised to get as far north as possible to escape light pollution from cities. Northumberland National Park is always a good shout.
Europe’s largest area of protected night sky, it was awarded gold tier designation by the International Dark Sky Association, making it officially the best place in England for people to go to enjoy the heavens. There are many venues within the park that offer a prime spot for looking up to the night sky including Kielder Observatory, Cawfields Picnic Site on Hadrian’s Wall, Alwinton Car Park, Walltown Country Park, Stonehaugh and Wooler Common.
Do I need special equipment?
The Leonid meteor shower is visible to the naked eye so you won’t need any binoculars or special equipment, just a dark spot.
Try getting to a secluded area and put the light from your mobile phone away to increase your chances of seeing it.
To get a picture like the one above, you’ll need a better camera than the one on your mobile!
What else can I see in the skies this autumn?
Geminids meteor shower : December 13 to 23: The month of December is good for meteor shower watchers, with the Geminids gracing the skies, peaking around December 13 and 14, and the Ursids that peak around December 22 and 23.
Ursids meteor shower : December 21 - 22: The Ursids shower is active annually between December 17 and December 23 and this year it will peak on the night of December 21 and the morning of December 22.