I will be in North Florida when the Leonids come this year and I would like to know of some place that I can watch them. Maybe in a park? A dark open field? The backyard?
2006-11-16 01:32:18 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Anywhere that is dark and has an unobstructed view of the eastern sky. Look toward the constellation Leo.
2006-11-16 01:35:35 · answer #1 · answered by rickymojo8 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Leonids are a prolific meteor shower associated with the comet Tempel-Tuttle. The meteor shower is visible every year around November 17 when the Earth moves through the Leonid meteor stream. The stream comprises solid particles, known as meteoroids, ejected by the comet as it passes by the Sun. A typical particle is no bigger than fine dust, and rapidly vaporizes emitting a streak of light as it hits Earth's atmosphere at tremendous speed (71 km/s). The Leonids get their name from the location of their radiant in the constellation Leo: the meteors appear to stream from that point in the sky.
The Leonids are famous because their meteor showers, or storms, can be among the most spectacular. In most years the rate at which meteors are likely to be seen is not great; however, years of highly elevated rates tend to follow a 33 year cycle, associated with the 33 year orbit of Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Storms in peak years can feature thousands of meteors per hour; notable events were observed in 1698, 1799, 1832, 1833, 1866, 1966, 1999, 2001 and 2002. During a strong storm in dark viewing conditions the sky can appear to be "raining stars".
Given the size of the particles, undetectable with telescopes, the precise timing and rate of each year's shower is challenging to predict. However, a close encounter with Jupiter is expected to perturb the comet's path, making storms of historic magnitude unlikely for many decades.
2006-11-16 10:26:23 · answer #2 · answered by Basement Bob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Any place with a dark sky will do. The meteors are predicted to be faint this time around. Look to the East and up.
2006-11-16 09:36:46 · answer #3 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The darker place the better.... They peak Tuesday morning but started yesterday. Look to the northeast. Best times are around 2 am to sunrise.
2006-11-16 09:36:42 · answer #4 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋