Nov. 18 — One of the most anticipated meteor storms of modern times is about to send two flurries of comet debris raining down through Earth’s atmosphere. Peak activity for the Leonid meteor shower is due to arrive between now and when the sun comes up Tuesday. In the parlance of hurricane forecasters, the storm is nearly upon us, and all preparations should be rushed to completion. The Leonids won’t produce a dramatic shower again until at least 2033. The next time the annual event will perform as well as this year is likely to be 2098 or later, astronomers believe.
Robert Lunsford of the American Meteor Society figures that all adds up to 2002 being a must-see event. “This may be the last opportunity for many of us to see a true meteor storm,” Lunsford told Space.com. “The Leonids of 2033 and 2066 are predicted to be weak in comparison to the displays of the last few years.”
-source: http://www.msnbc.com/news/836634.asp
North America
Look for the first peek of lower meteors at 11pm EST. But, the real show is supposed to be the second peek which should take place between 4:30 - 5:30 a.m. ET (2:30 a.m. PT Tuesday. The show is expected to be best on the eastern coast, but impressive from anywhere in North America. Try to get as far away from lights as possible, to see as much of the shower as possible.
"I estimate folks in the U.S. should see about one Leonid every 6-10 seconds near the time of the peak," Cooke said, having taken into account the effect of the Moon. Residents of Canada and Mexico will see this outburst, too.
-source: http://www.space.com/spacewatch/leonids_lowdown_021101.html#forecast
Go out and watch! It's supposed to be an event not to miss! And, the last time to see this level of amazing display in our lifetime. And, it's a neat piece of history.
Crashing through the Past -- The Earth is actually passing through two debris streams tonight, and this is old, old comet dust we're encountering. "Europeans this year are running through the 1767 comet trail," said Yeomans. "North Americans will see meteors from the 1866 orbit."
-source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/11/1118_021118_leonids.html
Very cool everyone! Go out and do some stargazing tonight and enjoy the beauty and majesty of the night sky!
~ flowers bloom near Memory and Dream
at 11/18/2002 06:56:50 PM ~
~
