Two meteor showers will grace the night sky this November, offering observers two distinct opportunities to view shooting stars.
The Northern Taurids reach their peak intensity in the night from November 11 to November 12, followed by the Leonids, which peak one week later in the night from November 17 to November 18.
The Northern Taurids are characterized as a relatively small meteor shower, with an expected frequency of approximately five meteors per hour. Due to their lower velocity, these meteors can appear as bright fireballs. Observers may face interference from cloud cover, though favorable moon conditions—following a new moon on November 9—are expected to assist visibility. While the weather will remain predominantly dry, light rain is possible in the northwest.
The Leonids, which peak the following week, are expected to produce a significantly higher frequency of approximately 23 meteors per hour, according to Weeronline. These meteors move at a much higher speed than those of the Taurids. While early evening moonlight may initially hinder viewing, the moon will set around midnight, leaving the remainder of the night dark.
The visibility of the Leonids remains uncertain due to fluctuating weather patterns, which may bring either clear skies or periods of rain. For the best viewing experience, experts recommend finding a location away from artificial light, such as open fields, and allowing 30 to 45 minutes for eyes to adjust to the darkness. Observers are advised to dress warmly for the cold November nights.
Although the calculated maximum for the Leonids is expected around 00:45 on November 18, the radiant—the point in the constellation Leo from which the meteors appear to originate—climbs higher throughout the night. Consequently, Noordernieuws reports that conditions for viewing improve in the pre-dawn hours, with a practical window suggested between 04:00 and 06:00.
Beyond these two events, annual meteor activity remains a consistent feature of the night sky. The Perseids are typically visible from mid-July through August, the Orionids appear in October, and the Geminids arrive toward the end of the year in December. The Orionids were active one month ago, producing between 21 and 32 meteors per hour.
Residents in Essen, Kalmthout, Wuustwezel, or surrounding communities can best see the Leonids before dawn. Observers should note that the radiant point reaches a favorable position toward the south-southeast around 06:00. While the peak is a calculated estimation, those preferring not to wait for the early morning may begin their watch shortly after midnight.
Local conditions influence how many meteors are visible. Obstructions such as high trees, street lamps, or thin cloud cover can reduce the count. Because the radiant is low for these latitudes, horizon light may obscure fainter meteors, so viewers should expect individual Leonids rather than a continuous shower.
It is recommended to remain in a garden or accessible public area rather than entering nature reserves like the Kalmthoutse Heide, which is not accessible at night.
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