Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks Early This Week Over Northern Illinois

While you're looking forward to Thanksgiving Day in about 10 days, here's something you can focus on that's actually happening right now in the skies above us: the Leonid meteor shower (also known simply as The Leonids), which will be peaking in the skies over Northern Illinois during the early part of this week.

The Leonids, caused by debris left behind by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, became active this year around November 6th, and will continue through through November 30th.

But the real treat will come on Monday and Tuesday of this week, when the meteor shower reaches its absolute peak.

Why The Current Moon Phase Makes The Leonid Meteor Shower Even Better This Year

What makes this year particularly ideal for Illinois observers is the moon phase. A waning crescent moon with only about 9 percent illumination will rise late, leaving the key viewing hours (midnight to dawn) really dark, which makes the meteor shower much easier to see.

At its peak, under these dark skies, you might see 10–15 Leonid meteors per hour if you're in a good viewing spot. These meteors are known for being very fast, hitting Earth’s atmosphere at around 43 to 44 miles per second (that's over 158,000 miles per hour), and sometimes leaving bright, lingering trails or even fireballs.

A couple of notes about the Leonids that you may not have known:

• The Leonids are famous for periodic meteor storms, with thousands of meteors per hour, most recently in 1966, 1999, and 2001.
• They’re known for bright persistent trains, or glowing streaks that can linger for seconds after the meteor flashes.
• Best viewing time is usually after midnight and before dawn, when the radiant climbs higher in the sky.
• Leonid meteoroids are tiny, often no bigger than a grain of sand, but they burn brightly because of their extreme speed.

Here's How To Make The Most Of The Leonids Here In Northern Illinois

There's not a lot of preparation, and no equipment needed to catch this spectacular sky-show here in our area. Here are some pro tips:

• Pick a dark spot away from city lights, because urban and suburban light-glow will dull your view.
• Lie back on a blanket or lawn chair so you can watch as much of the sky as possible.
• Give your eyes time to adjust. About 15 to 20 minutes in the dark should be perfect.
• Look toward the east or northeast, where the constellation Leo will be rising. That’s where the meteor radiant is located.
• Dress warmly. Nights in Illinois at this time of year are chilly, especially when you’re sitting still under the stars.