November 17-18 - LEONID meteors - An exceptionally good year for the normally dependable Leonids: the moon will be in a waxing crescent phase and setting around 10 p.m. local time. Although the Earth is somewhat posed out of the main clumps of cometary material from Comet 55P/Tuttle, the parent object of this debris, there is always a chance of an encounter with a secondary pocket of debris during any year. Most meteor scientists are expecting the peak for this year to be slightly before MIDNIGHT on November 17 and perhaps extending into the early morning hours when the radiant will be high in the eastern sky. In many years hundreds or even thousands of meteors might be seen. This year is predicted to be an exceptionally favorable showing in terms of recent years as the Earth passes near the thick debris cloud that produced the famous 1466 meteor "rainstorm" that was recorded over all of Europe. Meteor forecasters are calling for somewhat of a "strong year" in 2012 with many of the brighter members along with the faint fast meteors being seen because of the lack of moonlight. Be sure to let us know what YOU observe on this famous meteor shower during 2012...and in spite of the strong moonlight this year, DO NOT MISS this year's Leonid Meteors!!
good to know! we will be going to the poconos for the day and night saturday, so there will definitely be a better chance to see this there withouth all the city and home lights.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea this was coming! Thank you for letting me know. I am going outside to look now!
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