The Leonids are known for their high-speed meteors, which can travel at up to 44 miles per second. Unfortunately this year, the viewing conditions will be affected by a nearly full moon. Watching during the early morning hours, when the moon is lower in the sky, can improve your chances of seeing more meteors.
The Leonids meteor shower may result in around 15 visible meteors per hour under ideal viewing conditions. This year's peak activity on Sunday will happen when the moon is 98% full, obscuring visibility.
Meteor showers are usually most visible between midnight and predawn hours. It's easier to see shooting stars under dark skies, away from city lights, and on cloudless nights.
Most meteor showers originate from the debris of comets. The source of the Leonids is the comet Tempel-Tuttle. When rocks from space enter Earth's atmosphere, the resistance from the air makes them very hot, causing them to glow and leave a fiery tail.
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