meteor

Every year, the iconic meteor shower offers a spectacular show… and experts say this weekend is going to be particularly special.

Between November 3rd and December 2nd, but especially during the weekend of November 16-17, the Leonids will be unusually easy to see and appreciate, according to the American Meteor Society.

The flashy meteor show occurs because our planet travels in a nearly opposite direction as 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, the meteors crash into our planet’s atmosphere.

“Once every 33 years or so, the 'lion roars,' as Leonid meteors seem to rain down from the Sickle asterism of the constellation Leo,” writes David Dickinson of Universe Today, who has seen the Leonids up close, when explaining why this particular Leonids meteor shower could be memorable.

Earth is not expected to encounter any new dense clouds of debris until 2099, so when 55P/Tempel-Tuttle returns in 2031 and 2064, it may not bring meteor showers with it.