Five night sky events to look forward to this autumn

Another meteor shower arrives later in November, with the Leonids expected to peak around 17 November.

The Leonids can travel at about 70km per second as they enter the Earth’s atmosphere, making them some of the fastest meteors visible from Earth.

Under ideal, dark sky conditions, around 10 to 15 Leonids an hour can be visible at the shower’s peak, although the actual number seen will depend on weather, light pollution and the brightness of the Moon.

They get their name from the constellation Leo, from which the meteors appear to radiate.

The best time to look is generally after midnight and before dawn, when Leo is higher in the sky.