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.

The Leonid meteors are a few years away from producing the kind meteor storm that dazzles stargazers once about every 33 years, but the fast fireballs they're known for producing should still put on a show this weekend.