Astronomy Picture of the Day 11-20-02

NASA ^ | 11-20-02 | Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell

[petuniasevan]

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2002 November 20

Leonids vs. The Moon
Credit & Copyright: Frank Sapp

Explanation: Beautiful and bright, the 2002 Leonid meteors battled against glaring moonlight. This winning example, from Tuesday morning skies above Laughlin, Nevada, USA, finds an undaunted Leonid streaking between the familiar constellation of Orion (left) and an overexposed full Moon. As anticipated, the Leonid shower packed a double punch on November 19 with planet Earth plunging through two dense clouds of meteroids, dusty debris left by the passage of comet Tempel-Tuttle. Some European observers reported 10 or so meteors a minute during the first peak near 4:00 Universal Time while North American skygazers witnessed slightly lower rates near the second peak around 10:30 UT. Overall, observed rates were much lower than last year's Leonid meteor storm, but for many the sky was still filled with a rewarding spectacle of bright meteors. And that performance may be a fond farewell for years to come. The annual Leonid meteor shower will not likely approach even these rates again until the end of this century.

[petuniasevan]

It was a decent show from my venue, but I could have done without the nearly-full Moon washing out the fainter meteors.

I estimate I saw about 150 or so meteors during the hour I observed (4 to 5 AM Central). Many of the brighter meteors left a momentary greenish ion trail. All were extremely fast-moving.

How was your meteor shower experience? (Those of you for whom the weather cooperated, that is!)

[petuniasevan]

[My Favorite Headache]

The full moon killed it around here as well in southwest florida. The weather was clear and beautiful but this years showers came nowhere near last years.

[WSGilcrest]

More like a meteor sprinkle here in the SF bay area. I want my money back!

[petuniasevan]

The farther west you are, the more the Moon interfered.

My show wasn't all THAT great, either. No Moon would have helped a LOT.

[firewalk]

Good morning

[glock rocks]

too hazy here yesterday, but crystal clear (and darn cold) this morning. didn't see a one. thanks.

btw, what happened to sleeveless?

[petuniasevan]

I haven't heard from him in ages.

Last post from him was October 13th.

[sleavelessinseattle]

Hi you two...I was splitting my time bet FR and another site...now I've pretty much just split...But I LOVES my APODIES!

[Joan912]

There are far too many city lights for me to see anything, no matter what time of the year! I have to rely on you :)

[petuniasevan]

Good to hear you're still kicking!

Any reason you've been staying away from FR?

[sleavelessinseattle]

Thanks for asking P7...My ping list has shrunk too much with bannings...I expect even this comment will be held against me so I'll shut up, right there...Keep up the great work, APOD!!!

Happy Holidays to ALL!!! and God Bless America!