Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend

Stargazers across North America and beyond have a prime opportunity this weekend to witness the annual Leonid meteor shower at its peak, with clear dark skies enhancing visibility under ideal conditions.

The shower, which began earlier this month and will continue through late November, reaches its maximum activity late on November 16 into the early hours of November 17. According to astronomers, observers can expect to see about 10 to 15 bright meteors per hour radiating from the constellation Leo in the eastern sky. These swift streaks of light, traveling at speeds of 44 miles per second, often leave long, colorful trails as tiny particles of cosmic debris burn up in Earth's atmosphere. The event stems from Earth passing through the dusty trail left by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 33 years.

This year's display benefits from favorable lunar conditions. The moon, in its waning crescent phase, will be only about 6 to 11 percent illuminated during peak viewing hours, rising just two hours before sunrise and casting minimal light interference. Experts recommend heading to a remote location far from city lights and light pollution, such as rural areas or...