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The meteor shower Leonid arrived last night in the UK – the meteor shower in November is happening every year around 17 or 18 November. The shower is called Leonid, because the radiation or the point on the sky where the meteors appear to appear in the constellation Leo. Leonid meteor shower was responsible for some of the most intense meteorological storms in history, with rates up to 50,000 per hour.
However, a typical meteor shower produces rates of about 10-15 meteors per hour at peak, in the dark before dawn – the best bet is to look at the shower between moon and dawn.
The best time to see the shower is usually after the moon has set and during the predawn hours.
Leonids appear when Earth passes through the remnants left by Comet Tempel-Tuttle.
The comet takes about 33 years to make an orbit around the Sun.
Royal Museums Greenwich said: "The Leonids are usually one of the most prolific annual meteor showers with fast and bright meteors associated with the Comet Tempel-Tuttle.
"The radiant (the point where the meteors seem to flow) is at the head or" sickle "of the constellation Leo leul, hence the name.
"As the comet follows its path around the sun, it leaves a trail of small debris.
"Commuter debris enters the atmosphere of our planet at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per second, vaporizing and causing the streaks of light that we call meteors."
According to NASA, "Leonids are also known for their balls of fire and their meteors. The balls of fire are larger explosions of light and color that can last more than an average meteorite band.
"This is because fire balls come from larger particles of cometary material. Fire balls are also brighter, magnitude brighter than -3.
"Earthmakers are meteors that sneak near the horizon and are known for their long and colorful tails."
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The meteor shower Leonids reached a maximum of one night between Saturday, November 17 and Sunday 18 November, but the shower continues until November 20.
The shower can still be seen for several days, either on the side of the weekend peak, although the moon will continue to obstruct viewers.
According to the American Meteor Society, skywatchers can expect to see around 15 meteors per hour this year.
NASA said: "The Leonids are the best seen after midnight, local time, once the moon has passed.
"You should also see some Leonids on 18, 19 and 20. The maximum for any of these nights is only 10 leons per hour."
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