Leonid Meteor Shower November 2012: NASA Live Streaming on Monday Night to Provide View of Light Show

Leonid Meteors are expected to shower the earth early Tuesday morning.

“Some meteor shower forecast models suggest that there may be a later, secondary peak in this year's shower,” NASA said. “This would be due to material ejected from Comet Tempel-Tuttle way back in 1400 AD, and if the models are right, we could see these fragments hit Earth's atmosphere in the early morning hours of Nov. 20.”

NASA astronomer Bill Cooke said planning is key to view the skies.
"For best meteor viewing, dress warmly and go to a location away from city lights. You want clear, dark skies,” Cooke said. “Lie flat on your back and look straight up, allowing your eyes 30-45 minutes to adjust to the dark. No special viewing equipment needed -- just your eyes. The meteors will appear to originate out of the constellation Leo."

The shower peaked between Nov. 17 and 18.

But, Space.com’s Ciara Moskowitz said 2012 is a good year to see the shower.

“This year, the Leonids are offering an especially good show because the moon is only in its crescent phase right now (so its light isn't too bright to wash out the meteors) and it sets in the west long before the constellation Leo begins to rise into the night sky,” Moskowitz said.

NASA’s Marshall Center is offering a live Ustream telescope view of the skies over Huntsville, Ala., from Nov. 16-20.