The Leonid Meteor Shower
The Leonid Meteor Shower should peak Tuesday in the pre-dawn hours Nov. 17
NOTE: This information is also in Flandrau’s November Skywatchers’ Guide.
The Leonid Meteor Shower, which peaks in the pre-dawn hours of November 17 and 18, will not be affected by the light of the Moon this year, making for a good year to view the shower. Asia is predicted to pass through a strand of debris from the comet causing the shower at 2 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (21:00 UT). Astronomers are predicting that anywhere from 150 to 500 meteors may be visible for Asia, and the shower is well worth keeping an eye on here in the USA, in case predictions are wrong and the Leonids prove to be as unpredictable as they have in the recent past. The Leonids, which have put on spectacular shows during 1998-2002, are known for producing greatly enhanced activity every 33 years as Earth plows through dense portions of the debris trail left by Comet Temple-Tuttle. Unfortunately, Earth has recently finished experiencing that 33 year cycle, so no meteor storm is forecast this year.
The radiant (that is the area of sky where the Leonids appear to originate from) rises at local midnight, so meteor watchers should start gazing at that time, and look until dawn. Sky gazers should be alert and outside during all the probable maximum dates from November 16-19 as unexpected meteor peaks may occur. The Leonids often produce brilliant fast meteors, so even a few bright Leonids are well worth seeing. Dark viewing locations are highly recommended: glare from artificial light sources will certainly reduce the amount of meteors seen. Dark sky locations in Tucson favored for viewing this shower will be east of Tucson, such as Saguaro National Park East, at the east end of Speedway and Broadway Boulevards. Also, The University of Arizona’s Mount Lemmon Sky Center is hosting a Leonid Meteor Program on the summit of nearby Mount Lemmon (9,157 feet): Click here for more information and to reserve your spot (dress warmly!).
For complete details from NASA on this year’s meteor shower download the PDF file at: http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/372657main_2009LeoVisibility_Public2.pdf.