Most people have heard of meteor showers, when a few dozen shooting stars may dash across the night sky when the conditions are right. However, the next meteor shower on the calendar has a rich history of producing epic meteor storms that sound like science fiction rather than reality.

The full moon on 15 November, also known as the Beaver moon, will reach peak illumination just after 10pm BST (4pm EST). The Leonid meteor shower began on 3 November but will peak on the night of 17 November. The Leonids are known for their high-speed meteors, which can travel at up to 70 kilometres per second (44 miles per second).

One of the most significant annual meteor showers, the Leonids originate with Comet Tempel-Tuttle, according to Royal Museums Greenwich. So-called “shooting stars” appear when Earth cruises through the old debris field from the comet, both celestial objects orbiting the sun on annually crossing paths.