Stargazers have something special to look forward to this weekend as the sky is set to light up with the Beaver Moon and the Leonid meteor shower. This celestial event marks the first time during the year where these two phenomena will occur simultaneously, creating the perfect backdrop for those eager to witness the wonders of the night sky.
The Leonid meteor shower, renowned for its dazzling display of shooting stars, peaks from November 3 to December 2 each year, with this weekend expected to showcase some of the most breathtaking activity. If you're hoping to catch this spectacular event, mark your calendars for the nights of November 17 and 18, when meteor activity will be at its highest. While the best viewing times will be late at night, the Leonids will still be visible during the days leading up to this peak, allowing plenty of opportunities for skywatching.
Expect to see around 15 meteors per hour as Earth passes through debris left behind by the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, the parent comet of the Leonids. This comet has quite the orbit, taking 33 years to circle the sun, and last made its approach to our sun in 1998. It’s on track to be back in 2031, when skywatchers could possibly see up to 100 meteors per hour, according to the American Meteor Society. What’s fascinating about the Leonids is their speed; these meteors fly through our atmosphere at approximately 44 miles per second—creating bright trails often referred to as fireballs.
For this weekend, skywatchers will face some challenges due to the light of the Beaver Moon, which occurs on the same nights as the meteor shower. The Beaver Moon, which will officially reach its full phase at 4:29 p.m. ET on Friday, is the last supermoon of the year. This term describes those full moons occurring when the moon is at or near its closest approach (perigee) to Earth—making it appear larger and brighter than usual.
To fully appreciate the meteor shower, viewers are reminded to look away from the constellation Leo (the origin point of the meteors) and instead scan the rest of the sky for the best sightings. The combination of the bright, full moon and the relatively low meteor activity this year means viewers might need to be patient and content with fewer meteors than they might typically expect during this celestial event.
If you want to see the Leonid meteor shower, here are some tips to increase your chances: find a location far from city lights and light pollution, lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible, and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for at least 30 minutes. While it can be chilly out there, bringing along layers and maybe even some hot cocoa can make the experience much more enjoyable.
The Beaver Moon itself has some interesting cultural significance. Named for the time of year when beavers begin to prepare for winter, this name is rooted deep within Native American traditions and the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Officials state the Beaver Moon might create what they call the 'moon illusion', where the moon appears even larger as it rises above the horizon due to optical perceptions, something scientists still ponder.
Interestingly enough, this is the last of four supermoons to occur this year, accentuating the lunar glow brimming over the night sky. While viewing conditions may be less than optimal for the Leonids due to the moon’s brightness, many enthusiasts remain excited about the dual celestial offerings and the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the universe overhead.
So, for those ready to witness this weekend's spectacular show, gather your friends, find the perfect spot away from strong city lights, and prepare for some late-night stargazing. With heavenly bodies twinkling and meteors blazing through the dark, this celestial evening could turn out to be magical.
