From three meteor showers to a planetary alignment right next to a famous constellation, here are the top astronomy events to mark in November 2024.
November skies will be beaming as Earth gets ready to welcome the Leonid meteor shower. The major shower has been active since Nov. 3, but is projected to be at its brightest on Nov. 18.
The Leonids peak annually during mid-November and are bright, colorful meteors. Traveling at a speed of 44 miles per second, they are considered some of the fastest meteors, reports NASA.
Leonids are also known for their Earth-grazer meteors and fireballs, larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak. Earth-grazers are meteors that streak close to the horizon and are known for their long, colorful tails, said NASA.
The Leonids originate from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, discovered twice independently in 1865 and 1866 by Ernst Tempel and Horace Tuttle, respectively.
According to NASA, it takes Tempel-Tuttle 33 years to orbit the sun once.
When will the Leonid meteor shower peak?
The Leonids are active until Dec. 2, but peak during Nov. 18. According to EarthSky, the morning and night of Nov. 17 could also be worthwhile.
Under a dark sky without a moon, you might see to 10 to 15 Leonid meteors per hours. However, a waning gibbous moon will interfere with Leonid meteors in 2024.
How to view the Leonid meteor shower?
The best time to view the Leonids will be at about midnight local time, away from city and street lights. NASA recommends lying flat on your back and with your feet toward the east, 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," wrote NASA online. "Be patient - the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse."
When are the next meteors showers in 2024?
After the Leonids, there are two meteor showers left in 2024.
Contributing: USA TODAY