Potential Leonid Meteor Outburst Sparks Interest in 2024
Astronomers speculate about possible encounters with older meteor streams, despite 2024 being an off year for the Leonids.
Overview
- The annual Leonid meteor shower is expected to peak on November 17th with a modest Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) of 15-20 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.
- Earth may encounter three older meteor streams from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, potentially increasing meteor activity this week.
- Key dates for possible outbursts include November 14th and November 19/20th, with different regions favored for viewing.
- A waxing gibbous moon could reduce visibility of meteors due to increased sky illumination.
- While the Leonids are not expected to reach storm levels this year, unexpected activity could still surprise observers.