Following the Perseids and, more recently, the Orionids, a new meteor shower will soon light up the sky across France. On the night of Tuesday, November 17, through Wednesday, November 18, the Leonids will reach their peak activity, and you’ll need to sacrifice a little sleep to fully enjoy this natural phenomenon.
Visible every fall in France, this meteor shower could produce up to 15 meteors per hour if viewing conditions are ideal. This year in particular, lunar conditions should be favorable for those who stay up late. The Moon will set around midnight, leaving several hours of darkness before sunrise. For residents of the Île-de-France region, the best time to look up at the sky and enjoy the show will be between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Some of the fastest shooting stars ever observed
One special feature that makes the Leonids so beautiful is the speed of their meteors! Entering Earth’s atmosphere at 71 km per second, they can produce particularly bright trails of light that remain visible for several seconds. To explain this phenomenon, we must look to Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun in about 33 years. Every November, Earth passes through a portion of the dust left in the comet’s wake, giving rise to the famous shooting stars.
To maximize your chances and ensure the best viewing conditions, leaving the capital and its bright lights is the best option. It’s best to get away from light pollution to enjoy the phenomenon. Moreover, you won’t need binoculars or a telescope, since the Leonids will be visible to the naked eye from an unobstructed location.
The event is scheduled for November 17, when the peak of activity is expected, but the Leonids will continue to gradually light up the sky for a few nights afterward.