One of the most legendary Leonid meteor storms occurred in 1966, a year when thousands of meteors per minute streaked across the sky during a brief 15-minute span.
Witnesses described the meteors falling so densely that they appeared like rain, creating a breathtaking celestial phenomenon.
The last Leonid meteor storm occurred in 2002, leaving stargazers eagerly awaiting the next spectacular event. But meteor storms are rare, only occurring approximately every 33 to 35 years when the parent comet’s orbit around the sun releases fresh debris.
Leonid Meteor Showers Peak Activity
The Leonid meteor showers are expected to peak between Nov. 3 and Dec. 2, with the American Meteor Society highlighting Saturday and Sunday as prime viewing nights.
During the peak, observers can witness meteors zipping across the sky at an astonishing speed of 44 miles per second.
In typical years, the shower produces around 15 meteors per hour at its height. However, during peak activity, as many as 30 meteors per hour may appear. And the meteors often showcase brilliant fireballs and Earth-grazer meteors.
Fireballs and Earth-Grazers
According to NASA, fireballs are brighter and more colorful than average meteors, persisting longer due to their larger size and the composition of cometary material.
