The Leonid Meteor Shower is one of the most anticipated meteor showers all year. This is because the leonids are well known to put on quite a show in some years with fireballs and bright long tails sometimes lasting for several minutes as the sweep across the sky.

The leonids are fragments of the comet Tempel-Tuttle which burn up and appear as fiery meteorites as they enter Earth's atmosphere. They are named after the constellation they originate from: Leo.

Every 33 years or so, the leonids put on a storm. The last one was in 2001 and it was spectacular with fireball after fireball in rapid succession for at least 30 minutes.

However, this year's leonids are not predicted to be so spectacular but still one of the stronger meteor showers of the year. At the peak, they will probably come in at a rate of about 30 per hour. The peak should take place sometime just before mid-night on November 17 through the dawn of November 18.

Unfortunately, a quarter moon is expected to be in close proximity to Leo for the entire peak so the viewing of the meteorites will be obscured by this bright light. Given this, it may not be worth seeking out a place away from the light pollution of the city.

Even though it doesn't promise to be the best year, I will certainly be out there with a hot thermos of spicy chai waiting for the show in case it comes! It’s always lots of fun.