WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s a treat to see a super moon. But this glowing orb will still be almost full when the Leonid meteor shower peaks this weekend, likely obscuring all but the brightest meteors in most locations.

The Leonids are known for their high-speed meteors, which can travel up to 44 miles per second (70 kilometers per second).

“Unfortunately this year, viewing conditions will be affected” by a near-full moon, said Shyam Balaji of King’s College London. “Observing early in the morning, when the moon is lower in the sky, can improve your chances of seeing more meteors.”

This shower can result in around 15 visible meteors per hour under ideal viewing conditions.

The peak of activity this year will occur on Sunday when the moon is 98% full. The shower lasts until December 2.

Here’s what you need to know about the Leonids and other meteor showers.

What is a meteor shower?

Several meteor showers occur each year and you don’t need special equipment to see them.

Most meteor showers come from comet debris. The source of the Leonids is comet Tempel-Tuttle.

When rocks from space enter Earth’s atmosphere, air resistance makes them very hot. This causes the air around them to glow and briefly leaves a fiery tail behind them – the end of a “shooting star”.

Bright air pockets around fast-moving space rocks, ranging from the size of a dust particle to a boulder, can be visible in the night sky.

How to observe a meteor shower

Meteor showers are usually most visible between midnight and before dawn.

It’s easier to see shooting stars under dark skies, away from city lights. Meteor showers also appear brightest on cloudless nights, when the moon is waning the most.

And your eyes will be better suited to seeing meteors if you don’t check your phone.

When will the next meteor shower occur?

The Meteor Society maintains an up-to-date list of upcoming major meteor showers, including peak viewing days and moonlight conditions.

The next big shower is the Geminid meteor shower, which peaks in mid-December.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Education Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.