How can Minnesotans watch the Leonids meteor shower?

Stargazers are in for a treat this week as an annual meteor shower streaks across Minnesota skies.

The Leonids meteor shower is active until Dec. 2.

The display comes after ribbons of green, pink, and red aurora lights dazzled Minnesotans last week, marking the best light show in decades for many residents.

Leonids are some of the fastest meteors Earth regularly encounters, traveling at up to 44 miles per second.

The meteors are associated with the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1865. The comet leaves debris in its 33-year orbit around the sun, and the Earth annually passes through that debris.

In 2002 and 1966, the comet left storms where viewers watched at least 1,000 meteors per hour fall like rain in a span of 15 minutes.

Only three meteors per hour are expected to fall in this weekend’s meteor shower. The source comet could return near Earth in early 2031.

“Orient yourself with your feet toward the east, lie flat on your back and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. In less than 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors,” NASA officials advised online. “Be patient – the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse."