How to Watch Leonid Meteor Shower 2023: Here's the Best Time to View It

You can still watch the Leonid meteor shower before November ends. If you don't have plans for this coming weekend, you can invite your family, friends, and loved ones to watch this spectacular space event.

(Photo : STEPHEN SHAVER/AFP via Getty Images)
The Leonid meteor shower lights up the sky above China's Great Wall as stargazers brave the minus 20 degrees Celcius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit) temperature and walk up the wall with their flashlights 18 November in Badaling.

For those who are interested in watching the Leonid meteor shower, here's when you should view it and how.

How to Watch Leonid Meteor Shower 2023

People.Com reported that the Leonid meteor shower already began on Nov. 3. However, space fans can still watch this event until Dec. 2.

Unfortunately, there's only a period when the full extent of the meteor shower will appear. Leonids will specifically peak between Nov. 17 and Nov. 18.

One of the main reasons why stargazers should watch the peak of the Leonid meteor shower is that it will give them the chance to view a meteor whiz.

This is thanks to the meteor shower's peak period coinciding with the first quarter moon of the month, which means that there will be less moonlight interference compared to a full moon's glow.

Now, if you are one of those who want to see the Leonid meteor shower, here are some tips you can follow to make the best of it:

Try visiting areas far away from the city lights to avoid light pollution.
If you only want to see the meteor shower with your naked eyes, wait for 30 to 45 minutes so they can adjust to the dark.
You can bring a telescope or DSLR for better viewing; these gadgets will also help you capture quality videos and images, which you can post online.
If you only have your smartphone, no need to worry. You can take advantage of its Pro Camera feature to adjust the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.
If you plan to take videos and photos, don't forget to bring a tripod so you can stabilize your phone, gadget, or telescope.

Fun Facts About Leonid Meteor Shower

(Photo : George Varros and Dr. Peter Jenniskens/NASA/Getty Images)
This image taken with a meteorite tracking device developed by George Varros, shows a meteorite as it enters Earth's atmosphere during the Leonid meteor shower November 19, 2002. The device, which is deployed on board a NASA DC-8, tracks and photographs meteorites.

Before you start preparing for the Leonid meteor shower's peak time, EarthSky provided some fun facts about it that you will definitely enjoy learning, such as the following:

The Leonid meteor shower's parent comet is called "Periodic Comet Tempel-Tuttle," officially known as 55P/Temple-Tuttle.
The parent Leonid comet was discovered back in 1965. It reached 16th magnitude brightness when first discovered.
The Leonids align with the zodiac sign Leo.

If you want to learn more interesting facts about Leonids, you can click here.