On November 17, the 2020 Leonids live their apogee. Tonight, just as the Crew-1 astronauts will arrive at the International Space Station, we, here on Earth, will observe the peak of the Leonid meteor shower (if the sky is clear and permitting). Although it is not one of the years when its activity suddenly increases, it is always a great astronomical spectacle to observe.
The peak of the meteor shower, with around 10 to 20 meteors per hour , crossing the night sky, and the moments before sunrise will be the best to enjoy the Leonids although, according to experts, in Spain the best time to observe them It will be at 2:00 in the morning.
Remember that the fewer obstacles that can cover areas of the sky, the better.
The meteors come from the constellation Leo, the short-period comet 55P / Tempel-Tuttle, an icy body that orbits the Sun every 33 years. As it approaches the Sun, the comet leaves clouds of debris in its wake and when our planet crosses the debris at this time of year, we see the meteor shower.
When will the next great Leonid shower be?
The last one took place in 1998 and the next big rain will take place between 2032 and 2033.
