Saturday and Sunday evenings provide a good opportunity to see the Leonid meteor shower, considered one of the largest showers each year.
It was an important week for skywatchers. The Northern Taurids peaked Tuesday and November’s “Beaver Moon” peaked Friday.
Here’s what you need to know about the Leonid meteor shower, including how to see it from Wisconsin:
When is the Leonid meteor shower?
The Leonids are a major shower that peaks in mid-November each year and often produces bright and colorful meteors, according to NASA.
The Leonid Shower moves much faster than the Taurids: according to EarthSky, the shower has previously turned into a meteor storm, with the speed of the 1833 Leonid Shower reaching a whopping 100,000 meteors per hour. However, these meteor showers only occur once every 33 years, with the last one occurring in 2002.
The Leonid meteor shower will be active all month, but will be strongest on Saturday and Sunday evenings, according to the American Meteor Society. The shower is best viewed between midnight and sunrise, preferably in a place away from city and street lights.
What is the Northern Taurids meteor shower?
The Taurids are slow-moving, long-lasting meteors that become visible every fall. According to the American Meteor Society, the Southern Taurids peaked last week, while the Northern Taurids peaked on Tuesday.
These meteors are best known for being rich in fireballs, which illuminate the sky with large explosions of light and color.
Although this week is your best chance to see the Taurids, the southern showers will remain active until December 8 and the northern showers until December 2.
What is November’s supermoon?
The fourth and final supermoon of the year occurred on Friday. November’s full moon is also called the “Beaver Moon,” a nod to how beavers seek shelter for the winter around this time of year, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
A supermoon appears when a full moon coincides with the moment the moon’s orbit is closest to Earth. This leads to the moon appearing slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon.
When are the next meteor showers in 2024?
After the Leonids, there are two more meteor showers left this year:
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The Geminids: Considered one of the strongest and most consistent meteor showers, peak Geminids can feature as many as 120 meteor trails per hour whizzing across the night sky, according to NASA. The best time to view is in the early hours of December 13 to 14.
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The Ursids: The Ursids are considered a ‘low-key’ shower; viewers may see as many as five to 10 meteors per hour in dark skies during the peak. According to Earth Sky, the best time to see the shower is before sunrise on December 22 and 23.
Best Places to View Celestial Events in Wisconsin
The best conditions for viewing the night sky are when there are clear skies without clouds or haze. Be sure to check the weather forecast before heading out.
Here is a list of places in Wisconsin that can offer some of the best views of the night sky:
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How to see the Leonid meteor shower in Wisconsin tonight
